Up to 5,000 patients of a Sydney dentist may have been infected with a blood-borne virus over 25 years, but a lack of patient records means health authorities are struggling to track them down and alert them.
NSW Health is urging all patients treated by Dr William Tam, who practiced in Suite B, 2 Albert Road, Strathfield, to see their doctor or health practitioner to be tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV, as a precaution.
Health authorities carried out an inspection of Tam’s clinic, following complaints to the Dental Council of NSW about poor infection control practices and patient record keeping.
Tam retired following the review and is no longer a registered dentist, NSW Health said in a statement.
Dr Leena Gupta, clinical director of public health at the Sydney Local Health District, said thousands of people may have been seen by Tam over the past 25 years, but there were no patient records that would enable NSW Health to contact them.
“Poor infection control practices in Dr Tam’s practice mean all former patients may be at low risk of bloodborne viral infections, which can have serious and lasting health consequences,” Gupta said.
He said people with HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C may not have any symptoms for decades, stressing the importance that anyone who may have been exposed seek testing, so they can receive better treatment if necessary.
NSW Health directed former Tam patients to obtain fact sheets about hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV, and to contact their GP or Healthdirect for more information.
More to come.
