Seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antibody in South African dental personnel

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1992 Mar;73(3):304-6. doi: 10.1016/0030-4220(92)90126-b.

Abstract

Because there are no data available on the seroprevalence of hepatitis B in dental personnel in South Africa, a study was performed to assess the antibody status to hepatitis B surface antigen among 129 dental (preclinical) students and 62 dental hygienists at the Western Cape Dental School of South Africa. A total of 11 dental students and nine hygienists were positive to hepatitis B surface antibody, indicating a seroprevalence of 8.5% and 14.5%, respectively. These results, reported for the first time in dental personnel in South Africa, imply that dental students and hygienists in this part of the world are exposed to a significant risk of contracting hepatitis B.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Dental Hygienists*
  • Female
  • Hepatitis B / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis B / immunology*
  • Hepatitis B / transmission
  • Hepatitis B Antibodies / blood*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Occupational Exposure*
  • Prevalence
  • South Africa / epidemiology
  • Students, Dental*

Substances

  • Hepatitis B Antibodies