Hepatitis B and C among Berlin dental personnel: incidence, risk factors, and effectiveness of barrier prevention measures

Abstract

A study of 215 Berlin dentists and 108 dental assistants recruited at the 1997 Berlin Dental Society meeting assessed their occupational risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. HBV vaccine coverage, and barrier prevention methods used. Among dentists, 7% (95% CI 4-11) and 0.5% (95% CI 0-3) had serological evidence of previous HBV and HCV infection, respectively. Similar figures for dental assistants were 1% (95% CI 0-5) and 0% (95% CI 0-4). Only 74% of dentists and 63% of dental assistants reported HBV vaccination. Approximately half always used gloves, eye glasses, or face masks. HBV unvaccinated dentists whose patients had HBV risk factors had a greater risk of HBV infection; those who always wore face masks were at lower risk (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.02-0.98). These data indicate that among Berlin dentists, the HCV risk was lower than that of HBV and that face masks may have lowered the risk of HBV. The use of eye glasses or gloves did not appear to lower the risk of HBV acquisition in this population.

Seropositivity for hepatitis B virus, vaccination coverage, and vaccine response in dentists from Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

“…This is in accordance with other studies (Ottoni et al 1995, Cleveland 1996, Camilo 1998, Rodrigues 2002. Consistent with previous findings (Ammon et al 2000), our findings highlight the role of protective glasses and clothing use as preventive measures for HBV infection among dentists.…”

“…Nevertheless, the percentage of adhesion of these professionals to HBV immunization is considered higher than those observed in other studies (Cleveland 1996, Camilo 1998, Ammon et al 2000 as among health-care workers (HCWs) (Silva et al 2003(Silva et al , 2005. In Brazil studies have shown vaccination indices similar to those observed in the present study (Rodrigues 2002, Martins & Barreto 2003.…”

“…In dentists from the other regions of Brazil, the infection rates ranged from 10 to 17.9% (Ozaki et al 1998, Camilo 1998, Rodrigues 2002. On the other hand, it was observed 9% of seropositivity for HBV infection among dentists from the United States (Cleveland 1996) and 7% among dentists from Berlin, in Germany (Ammon et al 2000).…”

“…Since the manufacturing of the first vaccines against HBV in 1982, and with the increase in the vaccination coverage, the prevalence of infection has been gradually falling (Cleveland 1996, Mahoney et al 1997. The hepatitis B vaccination coverage among dentists is highly variable and it is not yet compatible with the possible elimination of the occupational risk of HBV infection (Camilo 1998, Ammon et al 2000, Rodrigues 2002, Martins & Barreto 2003, considering the fact that these professionals are in continuous exposure to blood or other fluids potentially contaminated with HBV (Cleveland & Cardo 2003).…”

Aderência a medidas de proteção individual contra a hepatite B entre cirurgiões-dentistas e auxiliares de consultório dentário

“…Da mesma maneira que com os CDs, essa prevalência pode ter sido subestimada. Entretanto, outros estudos também verificaram que a prevalência da vacinação completa contra a hepatite B foi mais baixa entre ACDs do que CDs 11,13,14 . As diferenças nos achados entre CDs e ACDs quanto às medidas de proteção pessoal contra a hepatite B podem estar relacionadas não apenas ao menor conhecimento na categoria dos ACDs, mas também a aspectos como a hierarquia e a subordinação dos ACDs aos CDs, em função da divisão social e técnica do trabalho, bem como da relação de emprego dos primeiros em relação aos últimos.…”