Journal of Research and Advancement in Dentistry
Official publication of Magadh University and Kolhan University, Government of Bihar and Jharkhand, India
Official publication of Magadh University and Kolhan University, Government of Bihar and Jharkhand, India
Year : 2015
Volume : Volume 5
Issue : Issue 3
Address for correspondence :
Dr. Rajan Rajput
rajanrajput@gmail.com
Background: Health care workers across the world are at great risk of exposure to many blood borne pathogens due to their occupational hazards risk. Many Incidences of transmission of various pathogens in this high risk group that includes dentist, dental students have been reported in the past despite utmost precautions taken at different levels and various preventive measures taken by employing modern medical and dental equipments. Health care workers performing these procedures are still prone to exposure of vast array of blood borne pathogens like Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Aims and Objectives: To find out the serum positivity of the Hepatitis C virus among the dentists in Dental Colleges of western UP. To find out the demographic occupational, geographic and behavioral pattern of the dentists. To find out the history of any transfusion, drug use, any liver diseases and any addiction. Methodology: Subjects chosen of the study were comprised of dentists in dental colleges of western part of UP. A written consent was taken and questionnaire was used to collect the demographic, occupational and behavioral pattern of the subject. The serum sample collected was 5.0 ml venous blood of each subject and it was subjected to tests for HCVAg positivity. Results: Anti HCV, found (positive) in subject dentists. Conclusion: Dentists and dental students have always been at an occupational risk of Hepatitis C virus infections, however neither magnitude of this risk nor the practices associated with it have been defined. A high prevalence of HCV among the general population put the Dental professionals at a higher risk of acquiring HCV infection. Results of our study show no sero prevalence of anti HCV amongst dentist. No case of occupational exposure was associated to the sero prevalence of hepatitis C. This attributes to the various precautionary measures taken while carrying out professional work which exposes the subject to such infections. It is pertinent to note that proper sterilization and screening procedures can avoid HCV infections in this high risk group in the near future. However, it is required to carry out the study with a larger sample size to arrive at more conclusive results.
Keywords: Dentists, HCV, Prevalence.
