Several American dentists died from a mysterious illness.

A group of dentists died from a mysterious disease, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention is trying to understand the cause.

Фото: Depositphotos

According to their latest report, progressive lung disease encompassed a group (hereinafter cluster) of dentists and other dental workers who were treated in Virginia care center. Of the 9 people, seven died during the 16-year period, writes CNN.

A disease called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic progressive lung disease. Worst of all, the cause of the disease is still unknown.

What is a "cluster"?

A cluster is a term used to define a collection of cases "grouped together by location and time that are believed to be larger than expected," explained Dr. Randall J. Nett, the study's lead author and a U.S. public health medical officer.

What do we know

In this case, among 894 patients treated for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis at a VA hospital, 9 patients—or 1%—were identified as dentists or dental technicians. That number is “23 times higher than expected,” Randall J. Nett said.

All patients—8 dentists and 1 dental technician—were men with an average age of 64 years. Although the cause of the illness has not been identified, occupational consequences are possible, Nett and his colleagues write.

Why dentists?

“Dentists and other dental personnel are exposed to unique impacts on the body at work,” Nett said. “These exposures include bacteria, viruses, dust, gases, radiation and other respiratory hazards.”

According to the report, one of the surviving patients in the cluster reported polishing dental devices without using a mask or other protection. During these tasks, the dental worker was exposed to silica and other compounds that have potential toxicity through inhalation.

“At this time, we do not know what caused this cluster of idiopathic cases of pulmonary fibrosis in dental personnel,” said Nett, who recommended that workers wear certified respiratory protection.

Across the country there are about 650 thousands of dental workers.

Dr. Paul Casamassimo, chief policy officer at the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry for the Pediatric Ophthalmological Research Center, said the new report is "not surprising."

Exposure to toxins

For many years, dentists have been exposed to gypsum and drilling dust, in addition to the toxic substances listed in the report. He noted that the cluster patients were aged, so they may not have used the most modern methods of personal protection and safety.

“We work with materials and human biological products that have the potential to cause damage to our bodies if we inhale them,” Casamassimo said. “Younger dentists are delegating certain jobs or procedures to laboratories that meet safer and stricter ventilation requirements,” he added.

According to him, today dental staff also needs to be protected by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

His own father was an “old-fashioned” dentist.

“My father passed away at 79,” Casamassimo said. Although his father did not die from pulmonary fibrosis, he did have breathing problems.

Read also on ForumDaily:

Personal experience: how and who is treated in America

Six types of medical expenses that Medicare does not cover

How to get a free medical insurance in New York while you are waiting for political asylum

How to cheap cure your teeth in New York

What I learned about medicine in the United States when I got insurance

Personal experience: to the dentist in mexico

Dentist services are not available to most Americans.

How to live in America for the minimum wage

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.