Which of the following bloodborne infections poses the greatest risk of occupational transmission in a dental office setting?

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the most contagious bloodborne pathogen in the dental setting. The HBV virion is extremely stable and can survive on environmental surfaces for up to 7 days. The risk of infection from a single needlestick exposure to HBV-positive blood is approximately 6 to 30%, compared to approximately 1.8% for HCV and 0.3% for HIV. Fortunately, an effective vaccine exists for HBV, and all dental personnel should be vaccinated. Tuberculosis is airborne (not bloodborne) but can also be transmitted in dental settings through respiratory droplets and aerosols.