Hepatitis C virus and dental health workers: an update

Oral Health Prev Dent. 2014;12(4):313-21. doi: 10.3290/j.ohpd.a32134.

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a worldwide health problem, affecting over 130 million individuals. The virus is transmitted parenterally, making health care professionals a risk group for infection. For this reason it is important that dental health-care workers recognise the symptoms of the infection, which can be present in the oral cavities of hepatitis C-infected individuals. Moreover, dental health-care workers should know how to manage hepatitis C-infected individuals during dental treatment and the measures to prevent nosocomial spread of HCV. Thus, the purpose of this study was to perform a review of HCV epidemiology, natural history, transmission, diagnosis, treatment and prevention focusing on oral manifestations in and dental management strategies for HCV-infected individuals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cross Infection / prevention & control
  • Dental Auxiliaries*
  • Dental Care for Chronically Ill
  • Dentists*
  • Hepatitis C / prevention & control*
  • Hepatitis C / transmission
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / prevention & control
  • Mouth Diseases / virology
  • Occupational Diseases / prevention & control*