September 1997, Volume 3, Issue 3, Pages 172 – 175

Paper

Dental practitioner risk, knowledge and practice with regard to the hepatitis B vaccination in South Africa S Naidoo Department of Community Oral Health, Faculty of Dentistry and WHO Collaborating Centre, University of the Western Cape, South Africa

Keywords

hepatitis B vaccination;   dentists

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To determine dental practitioner risk, knowledge and practice with regard to hepatitis B vaccination in South Africa. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, descriptive study. SUBJECTS: Dental students qualifying from the University of the Western Cape dental school between 1985 and 1995 (n = 173). METHODS: A telephonic survey, using a structured questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Knowledge and compliance with hepatitis B vaccination. RESULTS: The present study shows that (i) individuals are not maintaining HBV protection and (ii) individuals are at risk. CONCLUSIONS: Guidelines need to be developed to ensure that the entire dental team is not only vaccinated against HBV, but that post-vaccination testing and follow-up for booster vaccination is strictly adhered to.

Received 29 April 1997; Revised 20 June 1997; Accepted 23 June 1997

^© Macmillan Publishers Ltd 1997