Occupational risk of hepatitis C infections among general dentists and oral surgeons in North America.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the occupational risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among dental personnel.


METHODS
Three hundred forty-three oral surgeons and 305 general dentists were recruited at national meetings of the American Dental Association and matched by gender, age, years of practice, and location of practice. Each participant completed a detailed questionnaire designated to measure occupational risk of blood-borne infections and supplied a sample of blood. Antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV) were assessed by second-generation enzyme immunoassay and recombinant immunoblot assay. As a marker of occupational exposure to blood-borne viruses, hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen and antibodies to HBV surface and core antigens were measured by enzyme immunoassay.


RESULTS
Anti-HCV was found in 2.0% of oral surgeons and 0.7% of general dentists (odds ratio [OR] = 3.2, P = 0.133). Anti-HCV was more prevalent (P < 0.01) in dental personnel who were older, had more years of practice, and had serologic markers of HBV infection. Serologic markers of HBV infection were found in 7.8% of general dentists and 21.2% of oral surgeons (OR 3.1, P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
These data confirm high rates of HBV infection among dental personnel, but suggest that the risk of HCV infection is considerably lower.
Thomas
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Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
Gruninger
S E
SE
Siew
C
C
Joy
E D
ED
Quinn
T C
TC
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003815:Dentists; D005260:Female; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D016174:Hepacivirus; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000635:transmission; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009656:North America; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011365:Professional Practice Location; D012307:Risk Factors; D013515:Surgery, Oral; D014766:Viremia
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies