Dental Infection Control Special Report: Pulpotomy, Mycobacteria in Children

Infection Control Consulting Services (ICCS), a Florida-based provider of expert infection prevention services to dental clinics, surgery centers and other healthcare organizations, has published a new special report concerning dental infection control and prevention practices.

The report examines recent outbreaks of Mycobacterium abscessus odontogenic infections in children following pulpotomy procedures (child root canal).

As the report notes, "... the water that was used during the pulpotomy treatment allowed bacteria growing in the water to be trapped in the tooth when it was capped after the procedure was completed. ... Dental waterlines are a challenge as bacteria grow biofilm which adheres to the plastic tubes and is very difficult to eradicate."

Read the ICCS special report on dental infection prevention.