Knowledge and awareness about HBV infection and transmission among dental Students

Exposure to blood borne pathogens such as HBV remains a significant occupational hazard to health care workers especially among dental professionals and they are higlyvulnerable. Infection through saliva contamination or via needle stick injuries remains a common cause. Hence this study was conducted to determine the level of knowledge and awareness about HBV transmission. It was found that third year students have least knowledge when compared to final year and interns necessitating the need for formal education about these infectious disesases, mandatory vaccination protocol once a student enters clinics and knowledge about post exposure prophylaxis if a mishap occurs.