Dirty Dental Tools May Have Infected Patients at Burlington Clinic
Published June 22, 2017 at 1:19 pm
Clients at a Burlington dental clinic are being advised to get tested for infectious diseases after possibly being exposed to dirty equipment.
Clients at a Burlington dental clinic are being advised to get tested for infectious diseases after possibly being exposed to dirty equipment.
Patients at Upper Middle Dental, operated by Dr. Vivek (Vick) Handa at 1900 Walkers Line, were sent a letter from the Halton Region Health Department dated June 19.
“Improperly cleaned dental instruments carry a low risk of transmitting infectious diseases, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to clients,” reads the letter from acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Daniela Kempkens.
Clients are being asked to see their family doctor or go to a walk-in clinic to proceed with testing (blood samples are collected and sent to a lab for analysis).
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The clinic was inspected on June 9 by public health and the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario.
The findings: Proper infection prevention and control practices weren’t being followed to clean, disinfect, sterilize and store equipment and devices.
Inspections are completed on a complaint basis or as part of a reportable disease investigation.
A reinspection at the office on June 14 found proper infection control practices were being followed.
Contact your doctor if you have personal health questions. For more information about the investigation, visit Halton Region’s Infection Prevention and Control page or phone (905) 825-6000 or 311.
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