HBV Prophylaxis through vaccination in Romanian dental professionals exposed to Toxoplasma gondii

Background: Blood borne diseases are important diseases that can transmit their etiological agents in the medical office. One of the most feared due to its contagious remains hepatitis B virus (HBV). This infection is vaccine preventable. The present study aimed to assess the HBV infection and HBV vaccination status of Romanian dental professionals exposed to Toxoplasma gondii, a very common parasitic worldwide infection. We assessed HBV vaccination status, attitudes, knowledge, and fears. Methods: In 2024, an analytical cross-sectional observational survey was carried out in six months, from February to August, in dental offices in Romania. Using SPSS (version 23), data collected through a selfadministered questionnaire were examined. Where applicable, chi-square tests were employed. Results: Responses from 1708 individuals were examined. The median age of the cohort under study was 31.22 ± 12.7 years (range: 18–76 years). 742 (43.44%) of the participants had worked in dental offices for more than three years, and 1470 (86.07%) were from urban dental offices. 322 (18.85%) nurses, 308 (18.03%) dental technicians, and 392 (22.95%) dentists were present. 1120 dentists (65.57%) had received an HBV vaccination. 420 (24.59%) had received an HBV vaccination before to beginning work at the dental clinic. The dental technician category had the highest rate of HBV not-vaccination, at 154 (13.75%). The urban dental office had a significant (p<0.05) correlation with HBV vaccination status (OR = 0.38; 95% CI: 0.28-0.51). More than half of the respondents, 1456 (85.25%), had not been exposed to HBV while working in a dental office, and 882 (51.64%) were unaware of post-exposure HBV prophylaxis. 98 dentists (5.74%) were unaware of the HBV transmission mechanism. Of the dental professionals who worked with or for patients infected with HBV, 812 (47.54%) expressed fear of contracting the virus. Testing for antiHBs antibodies (OR = 0.38; 95% CI:0.29–0.51), knowledge of pre-exposure to HBV prophylaxis (OR = 0.49; 95% CI:0.37-0.67), and the respondents' role/occupation in the dental office (OR = 0.70; 95% CI:0.56–0.88) were all significantly correlated with the fear of contracting HBV (p<0.05, nonparametric Chi-square test). Conclusions: The current study found disparities in knowledge, attitudes, and opinions within the group under investigation, as well as a low level of HBV immunization in the dentist’s office. The dental technicians were terrified of the possibility of contracting HBV and had received fewer HBV vaccinations. They were unaware of the possibility of contracting HBV. Dental professionals in Romania should be encouraged to learn about HBV prevention before and after exposure. The level or titer of protective antiHBs antibodies should be measured to lessen the concern of contracting HBV while working with or for patients who have the virus. Romanian dental offices need to enhance their HBV vaccination status.