Outbreaks in Sydney Dental Practices
(Names have been Omitted)
Case 1
A public health investigation found instruments used in a Kogarah practice, were not cleaned, sterilised or stored in accordance with guidelines set by the Dental Board of Australia.
The NSW Dental Council has suspended the registration of the owner and a number of dentists who worked at the practice.
The overall risk to individual patients of blood-borne virus transmission has been assessed as low by NSW Health and no cases of blood-borne virus infection have been identified as associated with this dental practice.
However, patients who have had an invasive procedure at the practice are recommended to have testing for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
NSW Health Information Line on 1800 610 344.
Case 2
Up to 12,000 people have been urged to undergo testing for HIV and hepatitis after health officials confirmed four Sydney dental clinics are under investigation for poor hygiene practices.
It has been revealed that two senior dentists have been suspended and a further 12 are under investigation over a number of breaches involving poor cleaning and sterilisation techniques over a number of years.
New South Wales Health confirmed the four practices are located in the city, Surry Hills, Bondi Junction and Campsie in Sydney's south-west.
Several Dentists involved have been suspended from practising.
More than 40,000 patients attended the two of these practices over the past 10 years and officials said more than 11,000 people had invasive surgery which put them at risk of HIV and hepatitis.