Infection scare

12 November 2014
Volume 30 · Issue 3

Some 22,000 patients of a Nottinghamshire dentist are to be recalled for tests to see if they have been infected with blood-borne viruses.

The dentist, who has now been identified as Desmond D'Mello, has been suspended, NHS England has confirmed.

Desmond D'Mello, formerly of the Daybrook practice, was suspended by the General Dental Council over concerns about infection control.

NHS England said the dentist failed to wash his hand and change gloves between patients.

The risk of infection is believed to be low.

A whistle-blower contacted health authorities after he filmed covertly at the practice.

Mr D'Mello has been tested and is not HIV positive, NHS England said.

NHS England has taken advice from experts and they stress the risk of blood- borne infections being passed to the dentists' patients is low. Experts have recommended all the dentist's patients are screened.

Health chiefs will hold a news conference later.

Tracing the 22,000 patients treated by this dentist over 30 years will be easier said than done.

Some of them will have moved out of the area and others may have died.

The British Dental Health Foundation has issued the following comment in light of the case surrounding patients facing HIV and Hepatitis tests.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting The Dentist. To read more, please register. Registration to the-dentist.co.uk allows you to enjoy the following benefits:

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • Unlimited access to the latest news, articles and video content

  • Monthly email newsletter

  • Podcasts and members benefits, coming soon!