Published Article

HeadlineDental Surgery tells 563 patients to have HIV tests

Short HeadlineDentist tells 563 patients they need HIV tests

StandfirstHundreds of patients at a dental surgery have been told to take HIV tests over fears unclean equipment was used on them.

More than 563 patients at a dental practice in Hertfordshire have been told they could be at risk of HIV because equipment was not cleaned properly.

563 people are being warned to get HIV tested after they were treated with equipment that had not been sterilised.

Patients were told they were at risk after a hygienist failed to sterilise a scaler.

It took three months for health officials to act after being informed by the Dentality Hoddesdon practice.

The patients only received letters in January telling them that a hygienist had failed to sterilise dental equipment.

The female hygienist is self-employed and from London. She no longer works with the practice but is able to continue in her job under monitoring.

The scaler she used was allegedly cleaned only twice a day. It should have been sterilised after each use.

Public Health England said there is a chance the patients treated by the hygienist could have an infection. However, the risk is low.