Tuberculin skin test conversion rate in dental health care workers-results of a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
The tuberculin skin test conversion rate over 12 months in dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants was assessed in 3 US-Mexico border counties of Texas in which reported tuberculosis rates were high compared with the rates for Texas and the United States.


METHODS
Tuberculin skin tests were administered to 284 subjects and repeated on nonreactors 12 months later. Participants also completed self-administered questionnaires.


RESULTS
The baseline positive tuberculin skin test prevalence was 4. 6%. Nonreactors were more likely to have been born in the United States (P <.001). The tuberculin skin test conversion rate over 12 months was 1.7%.


CONCLUSIONS
Results indicate a need for heightened awareness of tuberculosis transmission and annual surveillance by dental health care workers, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Porteous
N B
NB
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio 78284-7917,USA.
Brown
J P
JP
D000328:Adult; D003797:Dental Staff; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission