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Australia: Patients of Retired Dentist Asked to Test for Bloodborne Virus
Authorities say thousands of former patients may have been exposed to hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV after an audit found infection-control concerns.
- On Wednesday, NSW Health urged all former patients of Strathfield dentist Dr. William Tam to undergo testing for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C following an audit revealing poor infection control practices.
- The Dental Council of NSW conducted an audit at Tam's Suite B, 2 Albert Road clinic in April, identifying substandard cleaning and sterilization; authorities cannot notify patients directly due to incomplete records.
- Sydney Local Health District Clinical Director Dr. Leena Gupta said the poor infection control practices mean "all former patients may be at low risk of a blood-borne virus infection, which can have serious and long-lasting health impacts."
- Former patients are urged to consult their GP for testing; Healthdirect is available at 1800 022 222, and the Mental Health Line at 1800 011 511 provides support for those distressed by this news.
- This alert follows a similar precautionary measure in October involving a dentist in Sydney's southwest; authorities emphasize that effective treatments exist for all three conditions, though symptoms may remain dormant for decades.
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Retired Sydney dentist's patients urged to get tested for HIV and hepatitis
SYDNEY — Authorities in Australia have issued a warning to patients of a retired Sydney dentist who practised for more than 25 years to get tested for blood-borne viruses due to "poor infection control practices" at the clinic. Blood-borne viruses spread when infected blood or other bodily fluids are passed from one person to another, including through contaminated needles or splashes and spatter of contaminated blood or saliva. The New South Wa…
·Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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After a dental check-up, serious deficiencies were revealed, so thousands of former patients are being asked for screening tests.
·Budapest, Hungary
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources18
Leaning Left6Leaning Right6Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution43% Left, 43% Right
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources lean Left, 43% of the sources lean Right
43% Right
L 43%
14%
R 43%
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