HBV is vaccine-preventable but can lead to chronic illness, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Healthcare workers, including dental practitioners, are at high risk due to close contact with bodily fluids. Despite efforts to control transmission, there's still a risk, especially in healthcare settings. The study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of dental practitioners regarding HBV infection, aiming to identify gaps and improve awareness and practices among dentists.

1. Hepatitis
Ahmed Al-Dawoodi

2. Overview
exposure
hepatitis

5. Article
BAU Journal - Health and Wellbeing BAU Journal - Health and
Wellbeing
KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS
INFECTION AMONG DENTISTS, April 2021.
https://digitalcommons.bau.edu.lb/hwbjournal/vol3/iss2/8
DOI: 10.54729/2789-8288.1137

6. Introduction
• HBV is vaccine-preventable
but can lead to chronic
illness, cirrhosis, and
liver cancer.
• Healthcare workers,
including dental
practitioners, are at high
risk due to close contact
with bodily fluids.
• Despite efforts to control
transmission, there's
still a risk, especially
in healthcare settings.
• The study aims to assess
the knowledge, attitudes,
and practices of dental
practitioners regarding
HBV infection, aiming to

7. METHODS
• The study utilized a descriptive cross-
sectional research design to gather
quantitative data from 101 dentists regarding
their knowledge, attitudes, and practices
related to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
• Data was collected through a self-administered
questionnaire consisting of four sections:
Socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge,
attitudes, and practices.

8. Results
• The study conducted over four months involved, with 54.5% females
and 45.5% males. Most dentists (82.2%) were vaccinated against
HBV, yet only 20.8% received the full three doses.
• Lack of knowledge (32.7%) and apathy (26.7%) were primary reasons
for not being vaccinated.
• Only 10.9% of vaccinated dentists checked for antibodies post-
vaccination.
• Knowledge analysis revealed varied understanding; for instance,
62.4% believed HBV couldn't transmit through saliva, while 79.2%
acknowledged its transmission through dental treatments.
• Attitudes toward treating HBV patients varied, with 37.6%
believing in moral responsibility, and 32.7% hesitant to let
dentists with HBV treat their teeth.
• Regarding practices, 82.2% always used gloves, but only 64.4%
consistently used oro-nasal masks.

9. CONCLUSIONS
The study concludes that dentists are at high risk of contracting infections,
particularly Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), due to their exposure to blood.
While the majority of dentists in the study were vaccinated against HBV, a minority
received the full required doses for prevention.
Dentists demonstrated moderate to significant knowledge regarding HBV infection
prevention measures, but they displayed a negative attitude, including fear of
treating HBV-infected patients.
Recommendations include implementing national campaigns for HBV vaccination
targeting healthcare professionals, especially dentists, and conducting educational
sessions to strengthen knowledge and encourage proper infection prevention
practices.
Infection control audits in dental clinics are advised to ensure proper transmission
prevention.