title: Hepatitis C: incidence and knowledge among Brazilian dentists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the incidence of Hepatitis C among dentists from the city of Piracicaba-SP--Brazil, and also to analyze the knowledge of this disease among these health care workers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and sixty-seven dentists completed a questionnaire and supplied a sample of blood for serologic testing for hepatitis C virus (HCV).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only one participant was positive for HCV, representing 0.4% of total. There was a lack of knowledge of this disease among dentists.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is an occupational risk of infection for HCV in dentistry and there is a need to make professionals aware of it.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ademar Junior
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Takahama
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tatsch
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tannus
authors.forename: Márcio Ajudarte
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lopes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003815:Dentists; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies