Saturday, July 14, 2012

Dental patients caught in HIV scare

Dental patients caught in HIV scare



More than 300 dental patients in Bundaberg in central Queensland have been told they underwent procedures in which the equipment had not been sterilised.

District Health Service spokesman Dr David Sowden says some instruments used by the Bundaberg Hospital Dental Clinic on Friday a week ago were not sterilised properly.

Thirty-three patients treated that day will be tested to see if they had HIV or hepatitis, potentially infecting another 274 patients.

"We worry about blood-borne viruses: HIV, hepatitis C and hepatitis B," Dr Sowden said.

"But just to make the point again - the risk we think is very, very low."

Health officials say the risk of infection is very small because most viruses are destroyed by cleaning before the sterilisation process.

But Opposition MP Rob Messenger says it is a frightening time for the patients who were treated between November 6 and 13.

"I spoke personally with one mum this morning," Mr Messenger said.

"She's got young children. It's so difficult for her. She doesn't know even whether to let the children kiss her.

"Another lass resigned from her job because she was working in hospitality.

"There are very disillusioned people at the moment and very concerned for their health."

Mr Messenger says some of the patients want the remainder of their dental work done at a private clinic and he says they should be offered counselling.

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