VACCINATION STATUS, KNOWLEDGE AND PREVENTION PRACTICES AMONG DENTAL STUDENTS REGARDING HEPATITIS B

Abstract

This article aims to investigate the vaccination status, knowledge and prevention practices adopted by dentistry students in relation to hepatitis B. To this end, a literature review was carried out in the Pubmed and Scielo databases using the descriptors: “Hepatitis B” , “Dentistry students”, “Immunization”. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 11 articles between the years 2018 and 2023 were selected for discussion. It was noticed that the level of knowledge and practices adopted against hepatitis B by dental students is insufficient and vaccination coverage among them has declined. Therefore, within the limitations of this study, it was possible to observe that vaccination coverage, knowledge and practices of dental students in Brazil and around the world regarding Hepatitis B are unsatisfactory. It is suggested that there is a need to expand knowledge about the promotion and prevention of occupational risks in undergraduate courses, as well as encouraging the expansion of vaccination coverage.