Chronic hepatitis C (CHC / DAA therapy)

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) = persistent HCV infection ranging from minimal fibrosis to cirrhosis. Most patients today are treated (and often cured) with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Dental takeaway: CHC alone usually does NOT change routine dentistry — what changes care is: (1) presence of significant hepatic impairment/cirrhosis (bleeding + drug metabolism), (2) the specific current DAA regimen and its interaction risk — interaction risk is regimen-dependent, so check the actual regimen (University of Liverpool HEP checker or equivalent) before prescribing rather than applying a blanket rule, and (3) infection control (standard precautions — there is no HCV vaccine; prevention relies on precautions and safe injection practices). Prescribing and treatment decisions should follow the current hepatic function and the exact regimen, not the CHC label alone.