22,000 patients who saw an NHS dentist to be recalled over fears they are at low risk of blood-borne viruses
About 22,000 dental patients are being recalled for tests to see if they have been infected with blood-borne viruses.
The recall comes after complaints to NHS England about dentist Mr Desmond D’Mello, 60, who has now retired but worked for 30 years at the former Daybrook Dental Practice, Gedling.
He was secretly filmed by a whistleblower who had concerns about standards of clinical care.
Patients seen by Mr D’Mello at the practice, which covers Lowdham, Gunthorpe, Epperstone, Caythorpe, Burton Joyce and other communities in that area, are being offered screening for viruses such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C, although the risk of infection is low, according to Public Health England.
Were you one of Mr D'Mello's patients? Contact the newsdesk on 01636 681234 or email s.parker@newarkadvertiser.co.uk Dr Doug Black, medical director for NHS England in Nottinghamshire, at a press conference in Mansfield on Wednesday, stressed that Mr D’Mello was free from any viruses, including HIV.
Dr Black said: “Our investigation demonstrates that acceptable infection control standards do not appear to have been followed by Mr D’Mello while he was treating patients at the former Daybrook Dental Practice.
“We are extremely sorry for the undoubted worry and concern people may feel on hearing this news.”
Dr Doug Black, medical director for NHS England in Nottinghamshire NHS England has worked with Public Health England to investigate apparent breaches of infection control procedures.
A Care Quality Comission report said: “We observed the staff toilet and the room next to the toilet were being used as store rooms for equipment.
“This posed a risk of these items coming into contact with body fluids which may be contaminated.”
NHS England was contacted by the whistleblower in June, 2014.
It ordered an interim suspension of Mr D’Mello and started an investigation into clinical practices at the dental surgery.
That investigation is continuing and no findings have yet been made in respect of Mr D’Mello.
Since August 2014 the former Daybrook Dental Practice has been under new ownership by Southern Dental, which offered cooperation.
The new owners have no connections with Mr D’Mello.
A helpline for those who are worried about the virus risk is open from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week. The number is 03330 142479.
Alternatively, people can visit the dedicated Community Clinic at Arnold Health Centre, located at Highcroft Medical Centre, High Street, Arnold, NG5 7BQ.