Health warning for Haberfield dental patients
Patients treated at a Haberfield dental practice are being urged to get tested for blood-borne viruses including HIV after a public health investigation uncovered poor hygiene at the surgery.
Inner West
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PATIENTS treated at a Haberfield dental practice are being urged to get tested for blood-borne diseases including HIV after a public health investigation uncovered poor hygiene at the surgery.
Dentist James Pok-Yan Ng has been suspended after an inspection of the premises, at 90 Ramsay St, on July 23 confirmed health concerns following a complaint to the Dental Council of NSW.
Inspectors found evidence of poor cleaning of both dental equipment and the practice.
The acting director of Sydney Local Health District’s Public Health Unit, Zeina Najjar, said no patients had been identified with blood-borne virus infections related to the practice and 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.”
The Dental Council of NSW suspended Dr Ng’s registration on July 27 so he is not currently permitted to practice as a dentist in Australia.
The Council’s president Shane Fryer said inspectors found cleaning and sterilisation practices in the Haberfield surgery, at 90 Ramsay St, 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 Health Care Complaints Commission or the Dental Council.”
If you have questions about the public health risk, please contact hotline number 1800 610 344.