Final answer:
Dental health care workers are not exposed to Legionella bacteria at a much higher rate than the general public unless their office's water supply is specifically contaminated.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that dental health care workers are exposed to legionella bacteria at a much higher rate than the general public is generally considered false. Legionella pneumophila, the bacterium that causes Legionnaires' disease, is most commonly found in aquatic environments, particularly in human-made water systems such as air-conditioning cooling towers, humidifiers, and fountains. These environments can become aerosolized and lead to infections if inhaled. Dental healthcare workers are not at a higher risk specifically due to their profession, but rather, people who are at increased risk of infection are generally those with underlying health conditions, such as chronic lung or heart disease, or those exposed to contaminated water or air systems.
High-risk populations for Legionnaires' disease include individuals with compromised immune systems, chronic lung disease, or those who are exposed to aerosolized water droplets contaminated with the bacteria, such as individuals near contaminated air conditioning systems. While dental health care workers may face other occupational hazards, they are not considered to have higher exposure to Legionella compared to the general population unless the dental office water supply is specifically contaminated.