An Audit of the Hepatitis B Vaccination Status of Staff in General Dental Practices in Lancashire

Abstract

Purpose of the study To audit compliance, by general dental practitioners working in two health authorities in Lancashire, with the British Dental Association recommendations on vaccination against hepatitis B. Basic procedure A postal questionnaire to dental practices. Main findings Replies were received from 85% of practices. The respondents consisted of 187 dentists, 270 dental nurses and 132 non-clinical staff. Totals of 98.9% of dentists, 96.7% of nurses and 72.7% of the non-clinicians reported that they had been vaccinated but fewer had undergone a blood test in the past five years. The poorest compliance was in having written evidence of immune status, with only 46.5% of dentists, 51.0% of nurses and 62.5% of non-clinical staff having this. Principal conclusions Greater publicity about the BDA recommendations is needed to improve compliance. An extension of the occupational health services currently being set up for general medical practitioners and their staff to dental practices would also help.