Prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen in dental personnel

CONTEXT: Hepatitis B, a viral disease affecting the liver has high morbidity and mortality. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in serum is used to detect presence of active disease and chronic carrier status. The disease is transmitted predominantly through blood and saliva, hence dental professionals are considered a high risk group. AIM: To detect presence of HBsAg in serum of dental professionals. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in two parts viz., one in the year 1991 on 100 dental professionals in Nagpur using reverse passive hemagglutination and the other in 2012 on 50 dental professionals in Chennai using immunochromatography. RESULTS: Ten percent of dental professionals screened in 1991 and 2% of dental professionals screened in 2012 showed HBsAg positive status and were predominantly periodontists with a history of needle-stick injury. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of Hepatitis B vaccination and periodic evaluation of antibody titer to prevent spread of the disease.