Hepatitis, HIV fears after poor Haberfield dentist hygiene
PATIENTS treated by inner west dentist Dr James Pok-Yan Ng over the past 35 years have been urged to get tested for diseases including hepatitis and HIV after the dentist was found to be flouting cleaning guidelines.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
PATIENTS who were treated by an inner west dentist over the last 35 years have been urged to get tested for serious diseases including hepatitis and HIV after the dentist was found to be flouting cleaning guidelines.
NSW Health has urged anyone who was treated by dentist Dr James Pok-Yan Ng, who worked in Ramsay St, Haberfield, to be tested for blood-borne diseases.
MORE NEWS:
BIZARRE CLASSES ON SEX AND WHITE PRIVILEGE
TODAY’S SHOCK RATINGS AGAINST SUNRISE
JOYCE: HOW I FELL FOR ‘STREET SMART’ VIKKI
Dr Pok-Yan Ng has been suspended from practice after the Health Care Complaints Commission raised the alarm with the Dental Council of NSW about the possibility of poor hygiene practices.
A subsequent inspection confirmed the concerns which included that cleaning and sterilising practices breached guidelines.
Acting director of Sydney Local Health District’s Public Health Unit Dr Zeina Najjar said no patients so far had been found to have acquired blood-borne viruses from the dental practice.
She said the likely risk of infection was low.
“Precautionary testing for hepatitis B, C, and HIV is recommended for anyone who attended
the clinic over the past 35 years, especially those who had invasive procedures,” Dr Najjar said.
“This would have involved a needle or other instrument piercing the skin, gums or tooth root,
or where bleeding may have occurred, but we recommend any patient of this practice sees their GP.”
Dental Council of NSW president Dr Shane Fryer said inspectors found cleaning and sterilisation practices in the surgery breached the Dental Board of Australia’s guidelines.
“The council carries out inspections of dental practices when a complaint is made which raises
a possible concern about compliance with our infection control guidelines,” Dr Fryer said.
“Overwhelmingly, the majority of dental practitioners comply with infection control guidelines, procedures and obligations but if anyone has concerns, we urge you to contact the HCCC or the Dental Council.”
A hotline has been set up for anyone with concerns: 1800 610 344.