13 Nov 2014

English dentist sparks HIV concerns

7:54 pm on 13 November 2014

Thousands of dental patients in Britain are being recalled for tests over fears they could have been infected with HIV or other blood-borne viruses.

NHS England said 22,000 people may have been put at risk over a period of 32 years by poor hygiene practices at a single dental surgery in Nottingham, AFP reported.

Desmond D'Mello was suspended in June after a whistleblower, concerned about clinical standards, secretly filmed the dentist at work.

Health authorities said apparent breaches of infection control included the dentist failing to wash his hands and change gloves between patients.

All his patients are being urged to undergo screening for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in the nation's largest recall.

Officials stress Mr D'Ello had no infections and there was a low risk of cross infection between patients.