According to a story from LiveScience, nine dentists and dental workers in the state of Virginia have been diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a rare and dangerous lung disease. All of the patients received treatment at the same specialized treatment clinic in the state, and so far, seven of them have died.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a disease in which the cause is unknown, but statistically speaking, dentists tend to get the disease at a far higher rate than the rest of the population. Dentists make up around one percent of cases. While this may seem rare, this is far higher than what would be expected. A person with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis experiences a progressive loss of lung function, with symptoms such as gradually worsening shortness of breath and dry cough. Clubbing of the digits and fatigue are also common symptoms, and most people diagnosed are at least fifty years old. Life expectancy averages out at about four years after receiving diagnosis. Some known risk factors include smoking cigarettes, some environmental factors, family history, and certain viral infections. To learn more about idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, click here.
Why dentists are more likely to get IPF is still a mystery, but the most pervasive theory is that they are exposed to a substance on the job that increases risk. Risk for IPF has been associated in the past with wood dust and metal dust. In the investigation, only one of the two still living patients was able to give an interview for researchers, in which he admitted that he had polished dental tools and prepared impressions without wearing a face mask. This could have exposed him to silica or other compounds that could have damaged his lungs.
While this disclosure provides some possible clues as to why dentists are at greater risk for IPF, the specifics still remain unknown. The study highlights the value of dental workers using masks when working in poorly ventilated areas or with potentially harmful substances. Ultimately, more in-depth study must be conducted before the truth about the relationship between dentistry and the risk of IPF will be unmasked.
