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Pulpotomy, a common procedure in pediatric dentistry, removes decay and diseased dental pulp in order to preserve deciduous teeth in children. On September 13, 2015, the Georgia Department of Public health was notified by a hospital that nine patients with odontogenic infections, who had all received pulpotomies at a single dental practice in the previous two months, had developed proven or suspected Mycobacterium abscessus infections.
M. abscessus is a nontuberculous, rapidly growing mycobacterium that is ubiquitous in soil, water, and dust. Exposure to this organism may lead to skin, soft tissue, and, occasionally, systemic infections. The organism produces biofilms in water lines and is resistant to common disinfectants.
Case finding, init…