Hepatitis C: incidence and knowledge among Brazilian dentists.
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.
Takahama
Ademar Junior
AJ
Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Brazil.
Tatsch
Fernando
F
Tannus
Gabriela
G
Lopes
Márcio Ajudarte
MA
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
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies