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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified a cluster of dentists that all contracted idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and were treated at a particular Virginia care center:
A cluster of cases of a progressive lung disease occurred among dentists and other dental workers treated at one Virginia care center, according to Thursday's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report [open, DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6709a2] [DX] from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Of nine patients, referred to as a cluster, seven died during the reported 16-year period. The disease, called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, is a chronic, progressive lung disease with a poor prognosis. The cause is unknown.
[...] In this case, among 894 patients treated for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis at the Virginia hospital, nine patients -- or 1% -- were identified as dentists or dental technicians. This number "was about 23 times higher than expected," Nett said.
The clustering may be explained by occupational exposure to an unknown hazard.
Also at Newsweek.
(Score: 2) by Alphatool on Tuesday March 13 2018, @11:03AM (1 child)
There's no point looking at their face masks, even if they're working perfectly they don't protect the wearer's lungs. The primary purpose of a surgical mask is to catch microorganisms in droplets and aerosols from the dentist's nose and mouth, with a secondary function in reducing the chance that liquid will splash into the dentist's mouth. They're not respirators and they provide zero protection from gasses, particles or vapors. [ccohs.ca]
(Score: 2) by FatPhil on Wednesday March 14 2018, @11:11PM
From your own citation:
"They do not protect the wearer from inhaling small particles that can remain airborne for long periods of time."
The exception proves the rule - they do protect the wearer from inhaling small particles that cannot remain airborne for long periods of time. If the particles fly in a trajectory, these masks do provide protection.
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