REPORT ON WORLD HEPATITIS DAY -IMPLICATION FOR DENTAL STUDENTS
World Hepatitis Day is observed on July 28. This day marks the birthday of Dr Baurch Samuel Blumberg, who discovered the Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis B vaccine. The theme for Hepatitis B in 2025 “Lets Break It Down”. It emphasize the urgent need to dismantle financial,social and systematic barriers that block access to prevention,testing treatment and elimination campaigns for viral Hepatitis especially B and C.
To commemorate World Hepatitis Day, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Azeezia College of Dental Sciences and Research, NSS Unit (NSS/SFU/KLM/KUHS/3) organized a seminar on the topic Hepatitis B – Implication for dental students. The resource person for the seminar was Dr Vipin Mohan K, Department of General Medicine, Azeezia Medical College.
The primary aim of the session was to educate students and health professionals about Hepatitis B, its mode of transmission clinical features, diagnosis, prevention, strategies and importance of vaccination. The highlight of session is that, he gave an introduction to Hepatitis B by explaining the virology, epidemiology of Hepatitis B. He also narrated about the transmission and risk factors which emphasize a blood borne transmission, unprotected sexual contact and mother to child transmission. Special emphasize was given to healthcare workers as a high risk groups. He also explained the clinical features which distinguish between acute and chronic Hepatitis B which was discussed, along with symptoms like jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, liver dysfunction. He then discussed about the diagnostic approach as he highlighted important diagnostic markers like HbsAg, HbeAg, anti Hbs and HBB DNA levels.
A brief description was given about the prevention and vaccination of Hepatitis B. Some of the prevention ideas he explained are screening blood products before transmission, use of sterile instruments during dental or medical procedures, personal hygiene, safe child birth practices.Vaccination given are recombinant DNA vaccine, which contains Hbs Ag are administrated intra muscularly. Vaccination will be scheduled at three doses. The vaccination must be taken by the healthcare workers, new born of HbsAg positive mothers, sexual partners of infected individuals, IV drug users, people with chronic liver diseases. He discussed about management by giving a brief overview of antiviral treatment for chronic Hepatitis B ( Tenofovir, Entecavir) and regular monitoring of liver function.He also conducted a Question and Answer session by asking insightful questions regarding vaccine timing, post exposure prophylaxis and screening guidelines. He concluded the session by giving informative and menaningful public health importance of Hepatis B and the need for awareness,early detection and prevention. The participants gained practical knowledge applicable to clinical practice and community health.
