[Correlation between anti-HBs antibody level with education status and duration of practice among dentists in Qazvin city]

Hepatitis B virus [HBV] is one of the main causes of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Dentists, surgeons, and dialysis staff, are considered to be at higher risk of HBV compared to other health care providers. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between anti-HBs level with education status and duration of dental experience among dentists practicing in Qazvin city, Iran. The participants of this analytical-descriptive survey were consisted of all dentists practicing in Qazvin. A questionnaire was used to collection demographic and clinical information. This step was followed by the collection of blood samples. ELISA technique was used for laboratory assessment of serum specimens for HBsAg and anti-HBs antibody titer. SPSS software and Chi-square test were used for data analysis. Out of 77 dentists who completed the questionnaire, 74 [93.7%], including 49 general practitioners [63.6%] and 24 specialists [36.4%] supplied their blood samples. All blood samples were HBsAg negative. A total of 40 general practitioners [81.6%] and 24 specialists [85.7%] had proper vaccination [dosage]. Among all, 34 general practitioners [69.4%] and 12 specialists [24.9%] reported exposure to patients with hepatitis. The antibody level was less than 10 mIU/ml in 8 general practitioners [10.8%], 10-100 mIU/ml in 12 dentists [16.2%], 100-500 mIU/ml in 23 [31.1%] others, and it was more than 500 mIU/ml in 31 dentists. This level was positive [10-500 mIU/ml] in 2 general practitioners [2.7%] that did not have prior vaccination history. There was a significant correlation between antibody level and vaccine dosage [P= 0.04], as well as the education status [general and specialist] [P= 0.03]. There was no significant correlation between antibody level and duration of dental practice. This study showed significant correlation between anti-HBs antibody levels with education status of dentists in Qazvin city. However, we were not able to detect a significant correlation between antibody level and duration of dental practice in this population