Prevalence of Hepatitis A, B and C and Use of Infection Control Procedures by Dental Health Care Workers in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

Aims: Investigate the prevalence of hepatitis A, B and C and use of infection control procedures by dental health care workers. Methods: 284 dentists were submitted to hepatitis prevalence serologic analysis and answered a questionnaire about infection control practices. Results: three dentists were anti-HAV IgM positive. Anti-HBc was positive in 19 dentists, and one was positive for HBsAg and anti-HBs. Three were Hepatitis C positive without co-infection with hepatitis B. Seventy-three (25.7%) had anti-HBs lower than 10UI/L. Infection control procedures: 144 dentists (50.7%) used eyes wear protection. Most frequent sterilization method was dry heat (77.1%), followed by autoclaves (62.7%). Only 11.2% had sufficient number of hand pieces to allow sterilization between patients. Conclusions: This study indicates a need for interventions in order to improve safe work in dental practices, hepatitis A and B vaccination programs, HBV post-immunization serology tests and use of protection equipment.