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| Nottinghamshire Police probe dentist patient death | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Police are investigating the death of a woman who died shortly after being treated by a dentist, currently under review for poor infection control practices. | Police are investigating the death of a woman who died shortly after being treated by a dentist, currently under review for poor infection control practices. |
| Desmond D'Mello, formerly of the Daybrook practice, has been suspended by the General Dental Council. | Desmond D'Mello, formerly of the Daybrook practice, has been suspended by the General Dental Council. |
| NHS England said the Nottinghamshire dentist did not wash his hands or sterilise equipment between patients. | NHS England said the Nottinghamshire dentist did not wash his hands or sterilise equipment between patients. |
| Up to 22,000 former patients may have to be tested for blood-borne viruses. | Up to 22,000 former patients may have to be tested for blood-borne viruses. |
| Experts said the risk of infection was believed to be low but thousands of people who used the practice in the Nottingham suburb are to be recalled and offered tests. | Experts said the risk of infection was believed to be low but thousands of people who used the practice in the Nottingham suburb are to be recalled and offered tests. |
| The 23-year-old woman died in August 2013, the same month she received treatment. | The 23-year-old woman died in August 2013, the same month she received treatment. |
| A second woman, aged 29, died the same month after a procedure at the surgery but police said there was no link between her treatment and her death. | A second woman, aged 29, died the same month after a procedure at the surgery but police said there was no link between her treatment and her death. |
| According to the General Dental Council one of these two women died as a result of a viral infection but police refused to confirm who. | According to the General Dental Council one of these two women died as a result of a viral infection but police refused to confirm who. |
| Nottinghamshire Police said "We are making further enquiries, on behalf of the Coroner, into the death of a woman in August 2013," a spokeswoman said. | Nottinghamshire Police said "We are making further enquiries, on behalf of the Coroner, into the death of a woman in August 2013," a spokeswoman said. |
| "The 23-year-old had received treatment at the former Daybrook Dental Surgery, in Mansfield Road, earlier that month. | "The 23-year-old had received treatment at the former Daybrook Dental Surgery, in Mansfield Road, earlier that month. |
| "Detectives are now working to establish if there are any links between the death and the dental treatment she received." | "Detectives are now working to establish if there are any links between the death and the dental treatment she received." |
| The hygiene concerns came to light when a whistle-blower contacted health authorities after filming covertly at the practice. | The hygiene concerns came to light when a whistle-blower contacted health authorities after filming covertly at the practice. |
| Mr D'Mello had been tested and was not HIV positive, NHS England said. | Mr D'Mello had been tested and was not HIV positive, NHS England said. |
| "Patients seen by Mr D'Mello appear to have been placed at a possible low risk of infection from blood-borne infections, due to multiple failures in cross-infection control measures," a spokesman said. | "Patients seen by Mr D'Mello appear to have been placed at a possible low risk of infection from blood-borne infections, due to multiple failures in cross-infection control measures," a spokesman said. |
| NHS England said it appeared Mr D'Mello failed to wash his hands and used the same instruments for more than one patient without sterilising them between appointments. | NHS England said it appeared Mr D'Mello failed to wash his hands and used the same instruments for more than one patient without sterilising them between appointments. |
| Two nurses who were filmed are also being investigated, but another dentist, who worked with Mr D'Mello at the time, is not under any suspicion. | Two nurses who were filmed are also being investigated, but another dentist, who worked with Mr D'Mello at the time, is not under any suspicion. |
| A Care Quality Commission inspection in July also raised concerns about the possibility of cross-contamination at the practice. | A Care Quality Commission inspection in July also raised concerns about the possibility of cross-contamination at the practice. |
| The report said the staff toilet and another room were being used as store rooms for equipment. | The report said the staff toilet and another room were being used as store rooms for equipment. |
| "This posed a risk of these items coming into contact with body fluids which may be contaminated," the report said. | "This posed a risk of these items coming into contact with body fluids which may be contaminated," the report said. |
| However, inspectors who had visited the clinic in November last year had given it a clean bill of health. | However, inspectors who had visited the clinic in November last year had given it a clean bill of health. |
| The new owners of the practice had renovated the property and addressed all the concerns, the inspectors said. | The new owners of the practice had renovated the property and addressed all the concerns, the inspectors said. |
| Patient reaction | Patient reaction |
| Nigel Shearing, from Huthwaite in Nottinghamshire, said: "I was his first patient when he came out of dental school and set up his practice. I've been seeing him for nearly 30 years. | Nigel Shearing, from Huthwaite in Nottinghamshire, said: "I was his first patient when he came out of dental school and set up his practice. I've been seeing him for nearly 30 years. |
| "He was a true professional, always spot on. He was one of the best dentists I've ever had. | "He was a true professional, always spot on. He was one of the best dentists I've ever had. |
| "I have absolutely zero concerns. I'm sure it's all nothing. If he practiced again, I'd continue to see him." | "I have absolutely zero concerns. I'm sure it's all nothing. If he practiced again, I'd continue to see him." |
| Beth Parsons, from Daybrook, who was a patient for 30 years, said: "I am in a state of shock ... absolutely amazed. We knew he was suspended but we didn't know why until this morning." | Beth Parsons, from Daybrook, who was a patient for 30 years, said: "I am in a state of shock ... absolutely amazed. We knew he was suspended but we didn't know why until this morning." |
| Dr Doug Black of NHS England said: "We are extremely sorry for the undoubted worry and concern that people may feel on hearing this news. | Dr Doug Black of NHS England said: "We are extremely sorry for the undoubted worry and concern that people may feel on hearing this news. |
| "I would like to stress again that the risk is low but would encourage anyone affected to contact the advice line." | "I would like to stress again that the risk is low but would encourage anyone affected to contact the advice line." |
| The NHS has written separately to the 166 patients who were captured on camera in the secret filming to explain what has happened. | The NHS has written separately to the 166 patients who were captured on camera in the secret filming to explain what has happened. |
| A hotline and a community clinic have been set up in Nottingham to handle any questions. | A hotline and a community clinic have been set up in Nottingham to handle any questions. |