Hepatitis B markers in Canterbury dental workers: a seroepidemiological survey

One hundred and forty-one dentists and dental assistants, and 88 school dental nurses were questioned and blood specimens obtained to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B markers amongst this group to attempt to elucidate the contribution of their work experience to these findings. An analysis of the type of work, number of patients treated, years in practice, place of practice, past history of hepatitis, age and sex of the participants and other contributing factors including past blood transfusions, tattoos, were determined for each participant. Fourteen percent of the dentists, 7.4% of the dental assistants and 6.9% of the school dental nurses surveyed showed hepatitis B markers. The factors contributing to the positive results were analysed.