Review of hepatitis non-A, non-B: the potential hazards in dental care.

Several of the common viral agents that can cause hepatitis have been detected in body fluids, including saliva and blood, which may both form important routes for transmission of disease. The viruses most commonly implicated include hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Epstein-Barr virus. Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) can be found in persons positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and presumably follows the same routes of transmission as HBV. Herpes simplex and echo viruses can cause hepatitis on rare occasion. Other agents, not yet positively identified but collectively referred to as non-A, non-B are also believed to follow the same routes as HBV and/or HAV. The aim of this reviews is twofold. First, we will discuss hepatotropic viruses other than HBV that may be spread via saliva and blood and, therefore, should be considered along with HBV as a potential health hazard to dental personnel and also to dental patients. The second aim is to highlight the epidemiology and the risk of transmission of these viral infections. The potential hazards are discussed in relation to those associated with HBV and human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV), implicated in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Review of the herpesviruses and hepatitis A: the potential hazards in dental care.

There is now an increased awareness of the risk of transmission of viral infections via blood and saliva after the publicity given to the human immunodeficiency viruses responsible for the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The herpesviruses have been found in blood, in blood products, and in saliva, and information with respect to these routes of transmission is convincing. Although hepatitis A virus is spread predominantly by water contaminated with feces (fecal-oral route), the virus is also found in saliva. On these grounds alone, these viruses must be considered a potential hazard in dentistry. Information in regard to the actual risks of their transmission in the context of dental practice is not yet available, primarily because a high proportion of infections are asymptomatic. Serologic studies of their prevalence suggest that all are widespread in the population. They are particularly common in many of the groups known to be at high risk for hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus, including promiscuous homosexuals, bisexuals, and intravenous drug abusers. In addition, pregnant women and their babies are particularly at risk from the herpesviruses. It is important to identify members of these high-risk groups as a potential source of transmission of infection through dental practice and in addition, it is important to identify them because they are prone to chronic sequelae.

Congenital lip pits and facial clefts.

Two families with congenital lower lip pits in association with cleft lip and palate, and isolated cleft palate are described. The presentation, mode of inheritance, aetiology, treatment and genetic significance are reviewed.

A computer-aided design for orthognathic surgery.

An interactive on-line computer system is described with application in orthognathic surgery. Both the hardware and software of the system are discussed. The application of the system is outlined under the various features of the system's software. The general software collects, stores and analyses graphic data such as from cephalometric radiographs and facial and dental photographs. The specific software handles the planning requirements of orthognathic surgery--diagnosis, treatment planning and prediction of post-operative soft-tissue profile.