Mojtaba Moradi Golrokhi - MSc. Student of Microbiology, Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Mohammad Reza Haghshenas - Department of Microbiology, Molecular & Cellular Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran

Background & Objectives: Hepatitis B is a primary viral infection of the liver, which could be transferred through saliva and blood. Hepatitis B is highly transmissible therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the awareness about this disease among dental students of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in ۲۰۱۲-۲۰۱۳. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on all dental students of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected using questionnaires, and data analysis was performed using SPSS ۱۵. Results: This study was performed on ۹۰ dental students (۴۵ male and ۴۵ female) admitted from ۲۰۰۸ to ۲۰۱۲. Approximately ۹۰% of the students stated a virus to be the hepatitis agent and ۱۰۰% were aware that the liver is the most involved organ in this disease. In addition, the majority of the students cited the use of common syringe and toothbrush to be a cause of hepatitis transmission, while ۸۰% believed that the disease is transmitted through dental waste. There was a significant correlation between the semester of study (P=۰.۰۱۸) and the level of awareness accordingly, the awareness of the students increased in higher semesters. However, no significant relationship was observed between the awareness of male and female students (P=۰.۹۲۹). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, knowledge and attitudes of students toward hepatitis B are within the moderate range. Since dental work is a risk factor for the transmission of hepatitis B, it is recommended that students be educated on the causes and prevention of this disease through training courses.

Awareness, Dental students, Hepatitis B, آگاهی, دانشجویان دندا نپزشکی, هپاتیت B