Patients treated by a retired dentist who practised in Sydney’s inner west for 25 years have been advised to get tested for bloodborne viruses.
William Tam may have exposed his patients to hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV at his Strathfield clinic on Albert Road, according to NSW Health.
Although now retired and deregistered as a dentist, the Dental Council of NSW identified concerns about Dr Tam’s infection control practices, as well as patient record keeping during a recent audit.
The ABC has contacted Dr Tam for comment.
Sydney Local Health District’s staff specialist of public health, Zeina Najjar, said an audit was undertaken on April 24 after a complaint.
Dr Tam retired two weeks later.
Dr Najjar said while the risk for most patients was low, those who underwent more invasive procedures may be at higher risk.
“The audit at the premises identified deficiencies in sterilisation of equipment and cleaning practises, for this reason concerns were raised for bloodborne virus transmission,” Dr Najjar said.
“The risk is low but we’re encouraging testing as a precautionary measure.”
She said thousands of people were believed to have been treated by Dr Tam, but authorities had been unable to contact them due to “substandard and incomplete” record keeping.
“We have acted as soon as we heard about this practice,” she said.
All three conditions have effective treatment options available.
Patients are also encouraged to contact their GP and Health Direct for further information.
