VA to Test 535 Dental Patients for Infections - Ohio

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CDC 02-10-11

OHIO: " VA to Test 535 Dental Patients for Infections "

Dayton Daily News (02.08.11):: Ben Sutherly

At least 535 patients of a Veterans Affairs dental clinic in Dayton will be

offered free testing for blood-borne infections after it was discovered that a

dentist there failed to change gloves or sterilize instruments between patients.

The veterans being contacted to screen for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV

were patients at the Dayton VA Medical Center clinic between 1992 and July 2010,

the center's director, Guy , said Tuesday. A clinical board will

review another 150 records for additional patients to determine if they may need

screening.

The risk of infection is considered " extremely low, " though any veteran who is

found to be infected will receive free treatment, said Dr. Arana, acting

assistant deputy undersecretary for health operations and clinical management

for the VA in Washington, D.C. He and had no answer for how the

alleged practices could go unaddressed for 18 years, though noted no

internal reviews detected the problem.

The clinic closed on Aug. 19 after an employee conveyed worries over infection

controls. Between patients, the dentist involved did not change latex gloves or

sterilize the rotary cutting burs used to excavate decay, shape cavity forms,

reduce tooth structures, and adjust or remove prostheses or dentures, a VA

investigation found. Action against the dentist is pending.

The clinic reopened on Sept. 10 under a heightened infection control

surveillance system, including random reviews of clinicians' competencies and

credentials, said.

The VA has established a 24/7 hotline for veterans to call at 877-424-8214.