Thousands of dental patients have been urged to get tested for HIV and other blood-borne diseases due to infection control breaches at his practice in Mortdale in Sydney’s south.
Dentist Safuan Hasic, also known as Steven Hasic, has been suspended by the Dental Council of NSW and a closure order issued for his dental surgery, NSW Health said on Monday, citing “poor cleaning and inadequate sterilisation of dental equipment”.
Mr Hasic is listed as a Bosnian and Croatian speaking practitioner, and according to a Sydney University newsletter he graduated in 1982 and does charity work for the Bosnian and Croatian communities.
The Chief Health Officer has also warned people not to seek dental treatment from Mr Hasic while the closure order is in effect or while Mr Hasic is suspended as a dental practitioner.
“Any current or former patients of Mr Hasic should see their GP as soon as possible and ask to be tested for blood borne viruses as a precautionary measure,” said Dr Vicky Sheppeard, Director of South Eastern Sydney Local Health District’s Public Health Unit.
“Blood borne viruses can be spread between clients on dental instruments where there isn’t stringent infection control.
“People infected with blood borne viruses may not show symptoms for many years, so it is important to be tested to see if there is silent infection. There are effective treatments for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.”
Some patients have been contacted and given health advice, but NSW Health said a large proportion were unknown to the health department, and could number in the thousands.
People who have had tests for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV after their last visit with Mr Hasic should check with their GP if more tests are required, even if results were negative, NSW Health said.
Header image: The clinic in Mortdale (Google Street View).
