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Three dental clinics in Philadelphia have been able to expose their patients to HIV and hepatitis. Dental practices were banned after the Department of Health discovered that their infection control practices were dangerous. ( pixabay )
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is urging patients from three dental offices to be tested for HIV and hepatitis.
On March 25, the government agency issued an announcement regarding the closure of three Trieu family dental clinics in the city. Clinic addresses are 437 West Chew Avenue, 5427 North 5th Street and 6536 Woodland Avenue.
The reasons for closure include inappropriate sterilization and reprocessing techniques of the equipment and errors in the secure injection measures. Such results can put patient safety at risk.
Prevent HIV and hepatitis
The city 's health department advises all patients who have received care from these clinics to go to their health care provider for HIV, hepatitis B and H & S testing. Hepatitis C.
The likelihood of infection is low and the health department is not aware of any cases of infection badociated with dental practices.
Department of Health in Action
The health department has received information from an anonymous source regarding the improper health practices of dental clinics. Shortly thereafter, their investigators went to the clinics and were able to observe control measures for dangerous infections. On December 7, 2018, all three clinics closed. Since then, the health department has been working with clinic staff to re-educate and update their infection control practices and obtain a list of their patients.
"None of these clinics will be allowed to reopen until the Ministry of Health is convinced that all dangerous practices have been corrected," States the press release.
The Pennsylvania State Department is also conducting a separate investigation.
Reaching patients
The Department of Health has already informed all patients who had received care from January 1, 2017 to December 7, 2018 the issue. The agency sent a letter advising these patients to consult a doctor and get tested. Patients who do not have a regular doctor can consult a number of city clinics listed in the letter.
Patients can also call a hotline set up by the health service for this cause. They can call (215) 218-2999 Monday to Friday between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm Patients can ask questions about their possible exposure and other information about clinics.
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