[Viral hepatitis B infection. Transmission and prevention for dentists]

Hepatitis B infection is the most important infectious occupational hazard in the dental profession. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is its etiology and can be transmitted by blood. Dentists were in a high risk of contracting this disease due to the procedures and instruments of dental treatment 1% of dentists were found to be carriers of HBs Ag whereas 13.6% demonstrated the presence of anti-HBs. In intraorally, the greatest concentration of hepatitis B infection was at the gingival sulcus. The role of saliva in transmission was not documented. Vaccination and practical infection control in the operatory could prevent transmission of infection from the patients to dentists or to the other patients.