Thousands of patients of a Sydney dentist have been urged to get tested for blood-borne viruses including HIV and hepatitis.
NSW Health said on Wednesday all former patients of Dr William Tam, who until recently practiced at Suite B, 2 Albert Road, Strathfield, should see their GP or health practitioner for testing.
Dr Tam’s clinic was inspected on April 24 following a complaint to the Dental Council of NSW, and inspectors found poor infection control practices, including inadequate sterilisation, and identified concerns about patient record keeping, NSW Health said.
The dentist retired two weeks later and is no longer registered.
Clinical Director, Public Health, Sydney Local Health District, Dr Leena Gupta, said Dr Tam saw an estimated 5,000 patients over the past 25 years, but there were no records that could be used to contact them.
“As a precaution, we are asking all of Dr Tam’s previous patients to seek testing for bloodborne viruses,” Dr Gupta said.
“The poor infection control practices at Dr Tam’s practice means all former patients may be at low risk of a blood borne virus infection, which can have serious and long-lasting health impacts.
“People with HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C may not have any symptoms for decades, so it is important that people at risk of these infections are tested, so that they can access treatment as appropriate. There are effective treatments available for all three conditions.
“Patients who underwent invasive dental procedures [in which] instruments may have pierced the skin or the root of the tooth or the gum or drawn blood, would be at a slightly higher risk, but overall, the risk is still considered to be low.”
No cases of blood-borne viruses linked to Dr Tam’s practice so far.
The warning comes after a similar warning about a dentist in Mortdale, in Sydney’s south, in October last year.
Header image credit: Andrea Piacquadio (Pexels).
