According to several news agencies, a dentist from Colorado who is now suspended was reusing syringes and needles, which could have turned out to be disastrous since he may have possibly exposed thousands of patients to both hepatitis and HIV.
News agencies covering this case have revealed that health officials announced that 8,000 patients are receiving a letter from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment stating that their dentist had exposed them to the infections previously mentioned. Patients were urged to seek for medical attention at once so tests for the diseases could be performed since the federal agency learned about the now suspended Colorado dentist.
Patients who were treated at the dentist’s office between September of 1999 and June of 2011 are encouraged to seek tests for HIV and hepatitis right away.
These reused needles and syringes were used in patients’ intravenous lines during oral surgeries in both of his oral surgery and dental implant clinics, which simply goes against the standard medical protocol, putting the lives of countless patients at risk. In the past, the federal agency states, this practice has been proven to transmit several infections, however, no illnesses or infections associated with these reused needles and the suspended dentist have been reported so far.
Although most patients are being contacted, the dentist’s records did not seem to be fully organized and some names are still missing from the files, which could make it difficult for the health department to reach all potential victims of this man’s wrongdoing. The federal agency stated that more people may have been exposed to the reused syringes and has urged media outlets in Colorado to report on this occurrence so more people can learn about the risks they could be facing.
According to the Department of Regulatory Agencies, the Colorado dentist responsible for the misuse of syringes and needles was suspended in Colorado for an unrelated matter. The probe is due to be resolved soon and more details should be available in the future.
Hopefully, this is an isolated case and dentists all across the nation follow the standard medical protocol and keep patients safe from infections or other health hazards. I’m glad that no reports of illnesses or diseases associated with this case have surfaced. As a personal injury lawyer, I would simply be heartbroken to learn that someone contracted an infection after being treated in this dentist’s practice.
If you believe you may know someone who may have been the victim of this dentist’s malpractice, click here to read the original article.
