Dental patients advised to get tested for hepatitis, HIV
Public health officials are advising patients of Guelph Dental Associates to get tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV due to what they call improper sterilization of dental instruments at the facility.
On June 30 Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) announced it is sending letters to patients to encourage testing for those who had procedures at the Eramosa Road facility between Jan. 21, 2015 and June 21, 2017.
Public health officials say although the risk of infection is categorized as “low” by infectious disease experts, patients should get tested.
“After we received a complaint from a member of the public, public health immediately inspected the clinic the following day and closed the office,” said Dr. Nicola Mercer, Medical Officer of Health and CEO for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health.
“It will be reopened when all equipment is safely sterilized according to the standards of the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario.
“Public safety is our first priority so anyone who received a letter should speak with their doctor about getting tested.”
Officials say sterilization procedures at the clinic “were not adhering with published best practices.”
More information is available at wdgpublichealth.ca.
