TUBERCULOSIS IN THE PRACTICE OF A FAMILY DOCTOR AND DENTIST

It has long been known that the oral cavity is an indicator that warns of the development of any common disease. Many systemic diseases manifest themselves in the oral cavity, sometimes being its only symptoms. As you know, our entire organism is a single whole and, therefore, the first manifestations of the disease can also be found in the oral cavity. Tuberculosis is one of the diseases that manifests itself as disorders in the whole organism and in the oral cavity. Last year, WHO confirmed the status of tuberculosis as the number one infectious killer on the planet[4]. Currently, the prevalence of tuberculosis continues to grow and is one of the causes of functional and aesthetic defects in patients. Tuberculosis also manifests itself in the oral cavity and, therefore, the dentist and family doctor are exactly the specialists that patients often turn to when they have any changes in their mouth. That is why these specialists play a significant role in the prevention of tuberculosis, since one may suspect the disease, and the second may prescribe the necessary additional examinations, and upon confirmation of the diagnosis, refer the patient to a phthisiatrician for additional examination and specialized treatment.