Hepatitis B serum markers and oral health in a group of Norwegian male prisoners.

In 138 male Norwegian prisoners the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) serum markers was 30.4% and closely related to their drug abuse. The highest frequency of the markers (82.8%) was found in young drug addicts admitting intravenous abuse and the lowest (14.3%) in prisoners denying such abuse. For comparison, the frequency of HBV serum markers in the general male population in Norway is about 4.1%. In young prisoners (less than 30 years), DMF teeth, percentage of gingival bleeding, and percentage of periodontal pockets greater than 4 mm were on an average 18.8, 38.2%, and 7.0%, respectively. These corresponding figures in the older age group (greater than 30 years) were 21.7, 38.5%, and 15.2%. These findings indicate a dental health status somewhere between that of the general population and disadvantaged groups in Norway previously surveyed. Other oral pathological conditions were present in more than one third of the prisoners, but mucosal lesions and disorders of psychosomatic origin did not extend normal ranges. No characteristic lesions attributable to drug abuse were observed. Dental care was given a low priority by the prisoners. Emergency procedures had been the treatment of choice at infrequent, irregular visits to the dentist, leading to enhanced risk of bleeding and of HBV transmission.