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Blood tests for worried patients Blood tests for worried patients
(3 days later)
Thousands of patients in Dorset and the Bristol area are being offered blood tests after a dentist was suspended following concerns about hygiene.Thousands of patients in Dorset and the Bristol area are being offered blood tests after a dentist was suspended following concerns about hygiene.
Those affected have been sent letters offering the tests, but saying that the risk of infection is "very low".Those affected have been sent letters offering the tests, but saying that the risk of infection is "very low".
Concerns about sterilisation of equipment were raised by a staff member at a dental practice.Concerns about sterilisation of equipment were raised by a staff member at a dental practice.
The unnamed dentist was suspended pending an investigation by the General Dental Council.The unnamed dentist was suspended pending an investigation by the General Dental Council.
We have no evidence that the dentist's practice was poor while at Frenchay or the Bedminster practice, but we realise that former patients may be anxious Dr Chris Payne, NHS South GloucestershireWe have no evidence that the dentist's practice was poor while at Frenchay or the Bedminster practice, but we realise that former patients may be anxious Dr Chris Payne, NHS South Gloucestershire
The dentist worked at Frenchay Dental Practice in Bristol between January 2003 and July 2007, and at the East Street Dental Practice, Bedminster, in the city for two weeks in December 2007.The dentist worked at Frenchay Dental Practice in Bristol between January 2003 and July 2007, and at the East Street Dental Practice, Bedminster, in the city for two weeks in December 2007.
In Bristol, 5,000 patients who were treated at the two surgeries while the dentist was there have been sent the letters.In Bristol, 5,000 patients who were treated at the two surgeries while the dentist was there have been sent the letters.
Issues were raised when the dentist worked in the Bournemouth area from January last year.Issues were raised when the dentist worked in the Bournemouth area from January last year.
In Bournemouth, 3,600 patients who attended the Poole Lane Dental Practice have been sent letters.In Bournemouth, 3,600 patients who attended the Poole Lane Dental Practice have been sent letters.
NHS Bournemouth and Poole was alerted to issues surrounding the sterilisation of equipment, by a member of staff at the practice in October.NHS Bournemouth and Poole was alerted to issues surrounding the sterilisation of equipment, by a member of staff at the practice in October.
An investigation was launched and the dentist was suspended.An investigation was launched and the dentist was suspended.
A spokeswoman for the trust stressed that the risk of cross-infection was low.A spokeswoman for the trust stressed that the risk of cross-infection was low.
'Incubation period''Incubation period'
"In these types of situations we have to wait before we contact people because there is an incubation period for all the illnesses involved and if we were to test people too early it would not show up if there was an infection and we do not want to worry people for a long period of time," she said."In these types of situations we have to wait before we contact people because there is an incubation period for all the illnesses involved and if we were to test people too early it would not show up if there was an infection and we do not want to worry people for a long period of time," she said.
Director of Public Health at NHS South Gloucestershire, Dr Chris Payne, said there had not been a documented case in the UK of blood-borne viruses being passed from one patient to another in a dental practice.Director of Public Health at NHS South Gloucestershire, Dr Chris Payne, said there had not been a documented case in the UK of blood-borne viruses being passed from one patient to another in a dental practice.
"We have no evidence that the dentist's practise was poor while at Frenchay or the Bedminster practice, but we realise that former patients may be anxious. "We have no evidence that the dentist's practice was poor while at Frenchay or the Bedminster practice, but we realise that former patients may be anxious.
"After these concerns were brought to our attention, NHS South Gloucestershire immediately arranged for an expert review of the infection control practices of the Frenchay Dental Practice and all NHS dentists working in South Gloucestershire."After these concerns were brought to our attention, NHS South Gloucestershire immediately arranged for an expert review of the infection control practices of the Frenchay Dental Practice and all NHS dentists working in South Gloucestershire.
"These quality checks have not identified any infection control issues," said Dr Payne."These quality checks have not identified any infection control issues," said Dr Payne.