A retired Sydney dentist who operated for over 25 years has prompted a public health alert, with thousands of former patients urged to undergo testing for blood-borne viruses.
Health alert issued for former patients
NSW Health issued an extraordinary warning on Wednesday, advising all individuals who were treated by Dr William Tam at his clinic on Albert Road in Strathfield, in Sydney's inner-west, to visit their GP and request screening for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.
Blood-borne viruses are transmitted when infected blood or other bodily fluids enter another person's system, often through contaminated needles or exposure to infected blood or saliva during procedures.
Infection control concerns
The alert follows an audit of Dr Tam's practice by the Dental Council of NSW, which revealed significant shortcomings in infection control protocols and patient record-keeping. Dr Tam has retired and is no longer registered as a dentist.
Dr Leena Gupta, clinical director of public health for the Sydney Local Health District, stated that thousands of people may have been treated by Dr Tam, but inadequate records prevent direct contact with those individuals.
"The poor infection control practices at Dr Tam's practice means all former patients may be at low risk of a blood-borne virus infection, which can have serious and long-lasting health impacts," she said. "As a precaution, we are asking all of Dr Tam's previous patients to seek testing for blood-borne viruses."
Importance of testing
Dr Gupta emphasised that individuals with HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C may remain asymptomatic for decades. "So it is important that people at risk of these infections are tested, so that they can access treatment as appropriate. There are effective treatments available for all three conditions," she added.
Dr Zeina Najjar, a staff specialist in public health for the Sydney Local Health District, explained that an audit conducted in April identified inadequate sterilisation of equipment and poor cleaning practices. "For this reason, concerns were raised for blood-borne virus transmission," she told a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
No patients have been diagnosed with a blood-borne virus to date, Dr Najjar confirmed, but auditors could not confidently identify all potentially affected individuals due to poor record-keeping, prompting the public appeal.
Risk assessment
The audit was triggered by a complaint made to the Dental Council of NSW, though Dr Najjar did not disclose the nature of the complaint or when it was filed. "Patients who underwent invasive dental procedures – so those where instruments may have pierced the skin or the root of the tooth or the gum, or drawn blood – would be at a slightly higher risk," she said. "But overall the risk, including to those patients, is considered to be low."
Dr Najjar declined to comment on the reasons for Dr Tam's retirement.
Former patients seeking further information can consult their GP or contact Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
