Presence of anti-hepatitis C virus serum markers in a dental school patient population

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has joined the list of infections liver diseases of which the practicing dentist must be aware. This recently described RNA virus causes between 20% to 40% of reported cases of viral hepatitis in the United States. Patients with HCV show symptoms only one quarter of the time, but chronicity is maintained longer than with the other liver infections. The major mode of transmission is percutaneous, so dentists are potentially at risk to contact the virus. To assess the presence of exposure to HCV, a total of 500 dental school patients were screened for serum antibody to this virus (second-generation anti-HCV). In addition, participants were required to fill out a special screening questionnaire designed to indicate high-risk groups. Their serum was also analyzed for serum chemistries known to be associated with acute and chronic liver disease. Analysis of the 15 response questionnaires revealed statistical significance relating to questions inquiring about previous exposure to blood (transfusions, surgical procedures, etc) but little significance relating to lifestyle. In either case responses were not of practical predictive value. More than 5% of our sample patients were found to be positive reactors to anti-HCV, indicating previous HCV exposure. A significant number of those positive for anti-HCV also showed elevation of serum chemistries associated with hepatitis.