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Dentist virus risk: Thousands of Nottinghamshire patients recalled Some 22,000 virus risk dentist patients recalled by NHS
(about 1 hour later)
Some 22,000 patients of a Nottinghamshire dentist are to be recalled for tests to see if they have been infected with blood-borne viruses.Some 22,000 patients of a Nottinghamshire dentist are to be recalled for tests to see if they have been infected with blood-borne viruses.
The dentist, who has not yet been identified, has been suspended, NHS England has confirmed. Desmond D'Mello, formerly of the Daybrook practice, was suspended by the General Dental Council over concerns about infection control.
Experts have recommended all the dentist's patients are screened. A recent Care Quality Commission report said a toilet at the practice was being used to store equipment.
The dentist, who is not HIV positive, treated patients in Nottingham over a 32-year period. It is understood the risk to patients is low. The risk of infection is believed to be low.
Health chiefs will hold a news conference later. A whistle-blower contacted health authorities and a surveillance camera was used to film at his practice.
The dentist was suspended following a suspected breach of infection control standards, the Daily Mirror said. 'Not positive'
A whistleblower alerted authorities with concerns about the dentist which led to surveillance cameras being installed, the BBC has learned. Mr D'Mello has been tested and is 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.
A Care Quality Commission inspection in July 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.
"This posed a risk of these items coming into contact with body fluids which may be contaminated," the report said.
Inspectors said new owners of the practice had renovated the property and addressed all the concerns "raised during the enforcement process".
A statement from the HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust said the risk of patients being infected with HIV from equipment that was not properly sterilised was unlikely.
"It is right that these patients have been recalled, but we would reassure anyone who has been contacted that there is next to no risk of HIV being passed on in this way."
Amarjit Gill, of the British Dental Association, said the recall was "a sensible precaution".Amarjit Gill, of the British Dental Association, said the recall was "a sensible precaution".
He said dentists routinely use disinfection methods and wear gloves and masks as well as giving protective masks to patients. He said dentists use disinfection methods and wear gloves and masks as well as giving protective masks to patients.
Rob SissonsRob Sissons
BBC health correspondentBBC health correspondent
NHS England has taken advice from experts and they stress the risk of blood- borne infections being passed to the dentists' patients is low. NHS England has taken advice from experts and they stress the risk of blood-borne infections being passed to the dentists' patients is low.
But they have recommended that screening is offered.But they have recommended that screening is offered.
The dentist is believed to have run his practice in the Nottingham area.
Tracing the 22,000 patients treated by this dentist over 30 years will be easier said than done.Tracing the 22,000 patients treated by this dentist over 30 years will be easier said than done.
Some of them will have moved out of the area and others may have died.Some of them will have moved out of the area and others may have died.
Are you affected by the NHS recall? Is someone you know affected? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist, please leave a contact number.Are you affected by the NHS recall? Is someone you know affected? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist, please leave a contact number.
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