Willingness of Jordanian clinicians to treat a hepatitis B-infected patient

Objective: In the past, clinicians have sometimes been unwilling to provide care to patients known to be infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). However, this lack of patient care should have lessened following the introduction of effective HBV vaccination for health care workers. The purpose of this study was to determine the willingness of clinicians in Jordan to provide care to HBV-infected patients. Method and Materials: A total of 290 general dental practices were randomly selected and surveyed for their willingness to provide treatment for toothache and routine dental care of individuals infected with HBV. Results: Only 45% of the dental practices were willing to provide care to a person infected with HBV. The unwillingness to provide treatment did not seem to be influenced by financial factors. Conclusion: HBV-infected individuals will have difficulty obtaining dental health care in Jordan. There is a need for dental heath care workers in Jordan to be better informed and/or provide more effective treatment of HBV-infected individuals.