Palmer Cotturo, a Pennsylvania dentist, asked to be tested for hepatitis and HIV

Pennsylvania health officials have warned that former patients of Cotturo Dental Associates in Mount Bethel could be at risk of infection due to unsanitary procedures during practice, WFMZ reported.

Health authorities also urged patients to undergo medical tests, fearing to have been exposed to HIV or hepatitis B and C.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health and State Department issued this warning on Tuesday after Cotturo Dental Associates dentist Palmer Cotturo was ordered to close his practice in August due to health problems.

Cotturo reportedly failed to dispose of used needles and could not prove that he was maintaining his own office. Surveys conducted by the ministries of health and state revealed that the practice did not follow proper procedures to clean, disinfect or sterilize devices.

Cotturo, however, said that the surprise inspection had taken place on a day when he did not see any patients. He said that the patient care area would be properly cleaned before patients return the next day.

"I will never compromise the health and safety of my patients," he told Lehighvalleylive.com. "I would never expose any of my patients to a dangerous environment."

The dentist nevertheless returned his license on September 14th.

Nate Wardle, spokesman for the Ministry of Health, said that a complaint revealed problems encountered in the Cotturo dental facility. Although there is currently no indication that anyone has been ill after being treated to practice, Wardle has stated that any potential illness is confidential.

Officials stated that patients who have undergone office procedures, such as cleanings, fillings, prosthetic fittings and implants from January 1, 2007 to September 14, 2018, are at risk of infection and need to be tested.

"Inadequate infection control procedures for this practice could create potential for harm, so we recommend that patients be tested," said Health Secretary Rachel Levine.

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have guidelines for dental practices to prevent the spread of infections. These include proper cleaning and sterilization of all non-disposable items, including dental tools; disinfect surfaces and require staff members to wear protective clothing such as masks, goggles and gloves.

according to CNN, Visits to the dentist can also give patients an idea of ​​the seriousness of the dentist's problem with cleanliness. A clean, uncluttered office, for example, may indicate that the dentist really wants sterilization. A cluttered desk, on the other hand, may be harder to clean.