Forwarded by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Forwarded by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
CDC Health Advisory:
Outbreaks of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections Highlight Importance of Maintaining and Monitoring Dental Waterlines
October 31, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health advisory emphasizing the importance maintaining and monitoring dental waterlines. Multiple outbreaks of nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) infections have occurred in children who received pulpotomies in pediatric dental clinics where the dental treatment water contained high levels of bacteria. Other disease-causing microorganisms found in untreated dental unit water can include Legionella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
In this advisory, the CDC provides infection control guidelines for dental settings. In addition, the CDC asks medical providers to consider an odontogenic source for cervical lymphadenitis or lymphadenopathy, and to assess a history of dental care and procedures in all children presenting with lymphadenitis.
Providers should report NTM infections to the local health department:
Los Angeles County DPH Acute Communicable Disease Control: 
  • Fax a CMR to 888-397-3778 or 213-482-5508 or call 888-397-3993.
Long Beach Health and Human Services
  • Fax a CMR to 562-570-4374 or call 562-570-4302.
Pasadena Public Health Department
  • Fax a CMR to 626-744-6115 or call 626-744-6089.
Please read the CDC communication online or as a PDF.
To view this and other LAHAN communications or to sign-up to receive LAHANs, please visit publichealth.lacounty.gov/lahan.
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