The control of cross-infection in UK clinical dentistry in the 1990s: immunisation against hepatitis B.
Thirty thousand dentists and clinical ancillary staff in the UK were surveyed in July 1991 to assess the current state of immunisation against hepatitis B virus (HBV). About 11,000 responded immediately and nearly 94% of these had been, or were being, immunised against HBV. Nearly all dentists and therapists (94% in each group), 95% of hygienists, and 96% of dental surgery assistants had been immunised. However, one half of the respondents were at or approaching 5 years post-immunisation, the time when booster immunisation is recommended. About 53% of most responding clinical dental staff had been vaccinated 4 to 5 years before the survey, but, of these, nearly 81% had not had booster immunisation. Booster immunisation will now be indicated for most dental clinical personnel.
Scully
C
C
University Department of Oral Medicine, Surgery and Pathology, Bristol Dental School and Hospital.
Griffiths
M
M
Levers
H
H
Blake
C
C
Chartres
L
L
D003797:Dental Staff; D003815:Dentists; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines