Abstract:
Dental health care personnel are at increased risk of acquiring
blood-borne infections including hepatitis B virus (HBV),
hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV). Infection is acquired through innoculation of infected
blood by needle stick injuries, by penetrations of sharp dental
instruments and by contact of mucous membrane with
the infected fluid. HBV infection is a vaccine-preventable
disease. There is currently no vaccine available to prevent
HCV infection.
