Journal of Academy of Dental Education

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Background & Objectives:Infections caused by blood-borne pathogens like HCV, HBV or HCV have emerged as a hurricane for health-care workers. Among them, Hepatitis-B is a leading cause of morbidity & mortality all around the world especially placing health workers at higher occupational risks. Also percutaneous injuries in dental clinic are risk factors for transmission of HBV. Hence a bi-directional relationship exists between dentist & patient regarding transmission of HBV. The present study is designed to evaluate degree of awareness & knowledge about HBV & status of vaccination against it, among the dental students & clinicians.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 279 dental professionals including 41 clinicians, 45 post-graduate students, 80 interns and 113 B.D.S III & IV Yr students by means of a questionnaire. Data was collected & then analyzed in SPSS version-16.

Result: Our results were noteworthy that nearly 89.6% claimed that hepatitis-b is preventable. Positively, 90.71% subjects were vaccinated against HBV & 62.8% showed positive attitude towards HBV+ patients. However, some alarming findings are that 54.64% didn’t know about post-exposure prophylaxis and 79.84% didn’t have any idea about serum HBV DNA viral load considered safe according to CDC.

Conclusion: The present study consolidates the urgent need for further spread of knowledge & awareness about Hepatitis-B. We also highlight practice of “Standard Infection Control” measures and strict adherence to tenets of CDC guidelines. Hence the call of the hour is to spread awareness about Hepatitis-B which can turn to be a “mouse or an elephant in dental clinic.”


Keywords

Blood-Borne Pathogens, Anti-HBs Status, Serum HBV DNA Viral Load, Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, CDC Recommendations, Standard Infection Control, Protective Personnel Equipment, Engineering Controls.
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