[Epidemiologic studies on the occurrence of hepatitis B in dentists and their assistants in Bavaria].

A study of 586 dentists and 553 dental assistants revealed that the contamination of dentists with hepatitis B was three times higher than in the comparable control group. No elevated hepatitis B morbidity rate however could be determined for the dental assistants. The occupation-related risk of hapatitis B infection was one case for every 100 dentists per year. No serologic differences from the normal control group could be determined for dentists and dental assistants in regard to contamination with hepatitis A. The evaluation of the questionaire showed that most dentists and their assistants were not aware of their hepatitis infection. Protective epidemiologic and hygienic measures, for the most part, were not observed.