IADR Abstract Archives

Are Dental Treatments A Risk Factor For Hepatitis C Virus Infection ?: A Systematic Review of The Literature.

Objectives: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of many unrelated viruses that cause viral hepatitis, a leading cause of death and morbidity. According to the WHO, The highest seroprevalence is seen in Central and East Asia and in the North Africa/Middle East regions.
The aim of the study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature regarding the implication of dental treatments in HCV infection in developed and developing countries.
Methods: An online database search using PubMed/Medline and Google Scholar limited to international articles published in English language from January 2000 to July 2017 was conducted. The following MeSH terms and their combinations were used: Dental treatments, risk factor, HCV, hepatitis C virus, transmission. The PRISMA flow chart was adopted by two independent reviewers.
Results: Fourty two studies evaluating dental treatments as a risk factor for HCV infection were eligible for analysis. Most studies were case-control (n=14) or cross-sectional ones (n=21). Participants were chronically infected patients, children, blood donors, pregnant women or individuals from the general population. The search for risk factors was based on a questionnaire. Up to 9 risk factors were investigated. Dental treatments were reported to be a significant risk factor in 26 studies. Most of them were originating from developing countries. However, in developed countries, the Risk of HCV transmission in dental care is low.

Conclusions: In developed countries, the reported risk of HCV transmission is low. This risk is not well investigated in developing countries, particularly in Tunisia. Most studies suggest raising dentists’ awareness regarding the importance of infection control procedures.

Tunisian Section Meeting
2017 Tunisian Section Meeting (Monastir, Tunisia)
Monastir, Tunisia
2017

Behavioral, Epidemiologic, and Health Services Research
  • Azzez, Sarra  ( University Hospital of F.Bourguiba , Monastir , Tunisia )
  • Hamdane, Fehmi  ( Faculty of Dental Medicine of Monastir (Tunisia) , Monastir , Monastir , Tunisia )
  • Ben Khlifa, Mohamed  ( University Hospital of F.Bourguiba , Monastir , Tunisia )
  • Berrezouga, Latifa  ( Dental Clinic , Monastir , Tunisia )
  • NONE
    Oral Session
    Oral Communication