The global challenge of hepatitis B: implications for dentistry.

Hepatitis B remains a serious threat to non-immune members of the dental team. Dental personnel who are hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers, many of whom may not be aware of their status, are also at risk of superinfection with hepatitis delta virus. It is hoped that this paper will assist dentists to understand better their role in preventing HBV infection and for dental staff to understand why acceptance of vaccine is so important to them, their families and their patients.