The use of hepatitis B vaccine in U.S. dental schools

A questionnaire was sent to the deans of 59 dental schools in the United States. They were asked to indicate their plans for the use of the new hepatitis B vaccine, whether hepatitis B antigen-positive patients were treated in the dental school clinics, and if so, what special precautions were used. The requirements for serological testing of patients were also addressed. Fifty questionnaires were returned. Eight schools (16 percent of the respondents) had not formulated plans for use of the vaccine. Thirty-one schools (62 percent) planned to use it for all students, faculty, dental assistants, and hygienists. In 74 percent of the schools planning to use the vaccine, the cost would be borne by the recipients; in 16 percent, costs would be paid by the institution. Several stated that the cost would be shared by both. Twenty percent of the respondents had not yet formulated plans for payment. The responses indicated that a great deal of indecision still exists among dental administrators as to the use of the hepatitis B vaccine and who will assume the cost.