Survey of the level of anti‐HBs antibody titer in vaccinated Iranian general dentists

Abstract

Hepatitis B is an infectious disease to which dentists are susceptible. The main aim of this study was to determine the level of antibody titer and immunity in vaccinated Iranian general dentists. A total of 861 general dentists were invited to participate in this study; 598 persons who could recall their history of vaccination and consented to have blood samples taken were recruited. Demographic and work-related data were recorded, and anti-Hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs-Ag) evaluations were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Of the 598 participants, 35 (5.9%) were nonimmune (anti-HBs <10 IU/l), 101 (16.9%) were relatively immune (anti-HBs = 10-99 IU/l), and 462 (77.3%) were completely immune (anti-HBs > or =100 IU/l). Only 218 (36.5%) of the dentists knew their HBs antibody titer. Fourteen (2.3%) persons reported receiving one dose and 65 (10.9%) had received two doses. The number of those who had received the three recommended doses totaled 519 (86.8%), 491 (82.1%) of them receiving their vaccine on schedule. Age, city, pack-years of smoking, years of smoking, and the interval between the last vaccination and the commencement of the study had a significant relationship to the antibody titer level, whereas sex, marital status, place of practice, smoking, and vaccination schedule were not related. Only 36.5% of the general dentists had checked their antibody titer. We, therefore, recommend that dentists, as a potential high-risk group, should know their level of anti-HBs antibody titer so that those who require revaccination can get treatment.

Hepatitis B: Knowledge, Vaccine Situation and Seroconversion of Dentistry Students of a Public University

“…In this study, less than half of the students were aware of the seroconversion test and only 5.6% performed the test. This result does not resemble that reported by other researches (7, 9, 22) where the percentage of seroconversion analysis ranged from 14.8% to 47.88%.…”

“…The low adhesion to the vaccine program is not justified, considering that, in Brazil, vaccination is free of charge and released to health care students (19). These results resemble those pointed out by Sing A et al (2010) (19) and Acosta-Gió AE et al (2008) (20), but differ from other results (7, 9, 18, 21-23) in which the percentage of completion of the vaccination scheme varies from 73, 8% to 97%.…”

“…Surgeon-dentists are at increased risk of being infected by HBV (7, 8). The main methods of contamination include needle punctures or exposure to blood and other body fluids (9).…”

Prevalence of blood-borne viruses among Iranian dentists: Results of a national survey

“…The risk of occupational blood-borne infections by dental practitioners is well recognized in the case of HBV. Numerous reports are accessible indicating that before the availability of vaccine against HBV in the 80s, the seroprevalence of HBV was higher among dentists than in the general population [36,37]. However, after the implementation of Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) IJOMEH 2015;28(3) p = 0.70), however, odds of such markers were higher for dentists who regularly wore shield than of those who used them irregularly or did not use them at all.…”

Interaction between periodontitis and liver diseases

“…Furthermore, dentists are associated with a greater (3- to 6-times) chance of HBV infection than the general population, which is the highest rate of HBV infection among all healthcare workers (149). The risk of HCV transmission and cross contamination within dental practices has previously been reported (150).…”