The incidence and prevalence of hepatitis B surface antibody in a dental school population.

A study was undertaken to determine whether the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) increased among students in a dental school after exposure to patients. Predoctoral students were followed during their 4 years of dental school. An anti-HBs determination was made before patient contact and again just before graduation. Of the 247 predoctoral students initially tested, 6.1% were found to be anti-HBs positive. Of these only 145 students were tested again before graduation; four (2.8%0 who were initially anti-HBs negative seroconverted during the testing period. In addition, 31 staff, 73 graduate students and faculty, and 21 dental hygiene students were also tested for anti-HBs seroprevalence. This single test revealed 6.5% of the staff, 8.2% of the graduate students and faculty, and 4.8% of the hygienists to have the positive marker.