Vaccination coverage and immunity against hepatitis B in public health dentists

Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop; 52 (), 2019
Publication year: 2019

Abstract INTRODUCTION:

Occupational exposure is a major risk factor for hepatitis B (HB) transmission.

METHODS:

Vaccination coverage and immunity verification from 64 dentists of the Brazilian Unified Health System were investigated. An immunochromatographic method was used to verify immunity against the disease.

RESULTS:

Overall, 77.77% of participating dentists completed the vaccination schedule; 37.50% had negative anti-HBs test results. Furthermore, 60.93% of participants never underwent anti-HBs tests and 40% did not know how to correctly interpret results.

CONCLUSIONS:

Numerous dentists were not immune to the disease. Few participants previously performed the test, with many not knowing how to interpret the results.

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