The risk of acquiring hepatitis B and C viral infections following tooth extraction in Al Farsha area, south-western Saudi Arabia

The objective of this work was to study tooth extraction as a potential risk factor for the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV infections and other related risk factors in Al Farsha area (a low deprived area), south western Saudi Arabia. Patients and their relatives attending the outpatients’ clinics of Al Farsha hospital and relevant primary health care centers were included. A comprehensive questionnaire interview was offered to all participants. Blood samples were taken and tested for HBsAg and HCV antibodies. The present study included 395 persons. Sero-prevalence of HBV and HCV amounted to 15.2% and 2%, respectively. Tooth extraction was found to be a significant risk factor in the transmission of both HBV and HCV infections (aOR = 2.363, aOR = 3.253, respectively). Persons lacking hepatitis B vaccination were also at a higher risk of acquiring HBV infection. There is an urgent need to introduce effective health education campaign and catch-up vaccination against HBV infection in the region. Infection-control education programs tailored to the need of the local health force should be promptly provided. Furthermore, curricula of the local dental colleges must be reviewed to introduce, at an early stage, infection control preventive measures in order to interrupt the transmission of blood-borne infections in general.