Evaluation of hepatitis b and c related in oral health: a population-based, study in Karachi Pakistan

Background: At the beginning of the third millennium, hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C (HCV) remains a major public health problem globally; more than two billion people have been infected worldwide, and of these, 350-400 million suffer from chronic infection. Patients chronically infected either with hepatitis B (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) are at increased risk of developing cirrhosis, end stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Different risk factors were found to be associated with the transmission of these viruses in various settings. HBV and HCV transmission seems to be also acquired by non-parenteral and non-sexual routes. A large number of patients infected with HCV might have non identifiable routes of viral acquisition. Hence, viral hepatitis transmission risk factors identification is the main way to reduce infection. Dental treatment may be one of such risk factors. Materials and Methods: A total of 496 samples were collected with the history form. The blood samples were collected from individual and was tested for hepatitis B surface antigen and for hepatitis C virus antibodies by ELISA. Results: After the selection criteria we evaluated that besides all-time risk of HBV and HCV infection, the dental clinic is at high risk where the rate of hepatitis infected individuals is higher. Conclusion: Dental treatment can be included among the risk factors of HBV and HCV infection. This risk can easily be eliminated using standard precautionary measures.