ArticleCureus2026
Hepatitis B Prevalence, Immune Status, and Persistence of Protection Among Dental Practitioners and Students: An Institutional Cross-Sectional Study.
Article in Cureus, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
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Abstract
Background Dental professionals are at increased risk of occupational exposure to the hepatitis B virus (HBV) because of frequent contact with blood, saliva, and sharp instruments. In addition to exposure history, assessment of self-reported vaccination history, serological immune status, and markers of prior exposure is important for understanding the occupational risk profile. Aim This study aimed to assess HBV-related knowledge, occupational exposure, self-reported vaccination history, serological immune status, and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) reactivity among dental professionals in a teaching institution. Methods This single-center cross-sectional observational study was conducted among undergraduate students, postgraduate students, interns, and faculty members in a dental college and hospital in Navi Mumbai. Of 500 participants, 436 completed the questionnaire and were included in the final analysis. The structured questionnaire assessed knowledge of HBV transmission, prevention, post-exposure prophylaxis, vaccination history, and occupational exposure history. Blood samples were voluntarily obtained from 275 consenting participants and analyzed for antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs), anti-HBc, and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Results Overall knowledge regarding HBV transmission, prevention, and post-exposure prophylaxis was high. Needle stick injury was reported by 14.0% of participants, and 17.2% reported mucocutaneous exposure to blood or body fluids. Among those tested, 55.6% had anti-HBs titers of >100 mIU/mL, 14.9% had titers of 10-100 mIU/mL, and 29.5% had titers of <10 mIU/mL. Anti-HBc reactivity was observed in 10.9% of tested participants, while no participant was HBsAg positive. Anti-HBc reactivity was significantly more frequent among participants with a history of needle stick injury and mucocutaneous exposure. Conclusion Good HBV-related knowledge coexisted with meaningful occupational exposure and a substantial subgroup with non-protective anti-HBs levels. These findings support a stronger institutional emphasis on exposure prevention, documented vaccination completion, and verification of immune status in dental professionals.
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