THE PREVALENCE OF HELICOBACTER-PYLORI IN PRACTICING DENTAL STAFF AND DENTAL STUDENTS

Recent studies suggest Helicobacter pylori is spread by faecal-oral or oral-oral transmission. Gastroenterologists who are exposed to gastri c secretions and saliva have a high prevalence of H. pylori infection. Venous blood was obtained from 92 dentists, 40 dental nurses, 33 fift h year and 30 first year dental students. An ELISA assay was used to d etect H. pylori IgG antibodies. Results were compared with an age and sex matched normal population. The prevalence of H. pylori infection i n dentists, dental nurses, fifth year dental students and first year d ental students were 23 per cent, 18 per cent, 18 per cent and 16 per c ent, respectively. There were no significant differences when compared with the normal population controls. The prevalence of H. pylori anti body was not significantly increased with years of practice or patient contact time in dentists and dental nurses. Helicobacter pylori infec tion is uncommon in dental professionals working in the oral cavity.