It has been reported that up to 22,000 patients may have been exposed to blood-borne infection due to a Nottinghamshire dentist’s failure to follow infection control standards.
A whistle blower supposedly alerted health authorities in June of this year after covertly filming the malpractice at the Daybrook Dental Surgery in Arnold, Nottingham.
NHS England has stated that it appears that Mr D’Mello, the dentist in question who owned and provided treatment at the clinic in the Daybrook area of Nottingham, failed to wash his hands and used the same instruments for more than one patient without sterilising them between appointments.
A spokesman for NHS England has advised that:
“Patients seen by Mr D’Mello appear to have been placed at a possible low risk of infection from blood-borne infections, due to multiple failures in cross-infection control measures.”
Inspectors who visited the clinic in November last year supposedly gave it a clean bill of health, however a Care Quality Commission inspection was conducted in July and concerns were raised in relation to possible cross contamination. The report revealed that the staff toilet and another room were being used as store rooms for equipment which “posed a risk of these items coming into contact with body fluids which may be contaminated.”
Desmond D’Mello was suspended by the General Dental in June of this year over concerns about infection control. New owners have since taken over the practice, renovated the property and have addressed all the concerns according to health inspectors. It has been reported that these owners have no connection to Mr D’Mello.
Speaking at a press conference in Mansfield, the Medical Director of NHS Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Dr Douglas Black said:
“Public Health England advised us that patients seen by Mr D’Mello may have been placed at a low risk of infection from blood borne viruses hepatitis B and C and HIV.”
“We are extremely sorry for the undoubted worry and concern people may feel on hearing this news.”
He added that due to the fact that Mr D’Mello had been a dentist at the Daybrook Clinic for over 30 years a large number of patients will need to be recalled:
“As a precautionary measure, we are advising all patients who have seen Mr D’Mello to seek further advice on what action they may need to take.”
However, Douglas Black purported to provide some reassurance to patients, revealing that Mr D’Mello had recently been tested for blood borne viruses but was found to be clear himself.
A community clinic has been set up as well as a helpline for concerned patients.
How Nelsons Can Help
Please contact a member of our specialist Medical Negligence team on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form if you would like to discuss any of the points raised in this article.