Hepatitis C virus and dental health workers: an update

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a worldwide health problem, affecting over 130 million individuals. The virus is transmitted parenterally, making health care professionals a risk group for infection. For this reason it is important that dental health-care workers recognise the symptoms of the infection, which can be present in the oral cavities of hepatitis C-infected individuals. Moreover, dental health-care workers should know how to manage hepatitis C-infected individuals during dental treatment and the measures to prevent nosocomial spread of HCV. Thus, the purpose of this study was to perform a review of HCV epidemiology, natural history, transmission, diagnosis, treatment and prevention focusing on oral manifestations in and dental management strategies for HCV-infected individuals.