Prevalence of hepatitis B in dental patients

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The most important marker for HBV infection is HBsAg. In case of diagnosis of infectious disease, discordant results may have serious consequences among the patients as it causes unnecessary mental stress and tension. For proper diagnosis of infection as well as disease management and prevention, the identification of appropriate test kit is necessary. Objectives: The aim of the study was to calculate the prevalence of hepatitis B in dental patients by Hepacard test. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2019 to May 2021. A total of 650 blood samples were received for HBsAg diagnosis in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. Each blood sample was tested for HBsAg using rapid card test [Hepacard Kit]. Result: The presence of HBsAg was noted among 47 patients from a total of 603. Hence, the prevalence of HBsAg among studied patients was 7.8%. Conclusion: Dental professionals have a responsibility to prioritize patient well-being, and incorporating comprehensive testing protocols is one such step to improve healthcare standards.