Oral health charity responds to infection reports

British Dental Health Foundation logo

The British Dental Health Foundation has today (12 November) issued the following comment in light of the case surrounding patients facing HIV and Hepatitis tests.

Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, said: “This is very much an isolated incident. The reality is the risk to patients is relatively low. It is important the public, and particularly those who believe they may be affected, to remain calm.

“For the virus to be transmitted through dental equipment, as is alleged here, it would have to be done almost straight away. The time between appointments means this is unlikely to happen.

“All dental practices in the UK have to operate the highest standards of cross infection control. Every dental practice is monitored and inspected regularly by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) against standards including those for cross infection control.

“In recent years the Department of Health has introduced new stringent regulations for cross infection control (HTM 01-05) which increases cross infection control standards and procedures above the already excellent standards already implemented. All dental surgeons are very aware of the issues around cross infection control in dental practice and generally operate to extremely high standards.”