Seattle-based Neighborcare Health warned 1,250 people who were treated at several of its dental clinics to get tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV after staff failed to properly sterilize dental equipment at dozens of local schools, according to NBC affiliate King5 News.
The King County Health Department said the risk of infection is low and testing is precautionary. Neighborcare, a primary healthcare provider for low-income people, is working with the health department to address the incident.
Patients who choose to get testing will not have to pay for it.
"We immediately retrained all school-based dental staff in sterilization processes and policies," Neighborcare told King5 News. "We will also reassure that all new and current dental assistants across the Neighborcare Health organization are following sterilization procedures."
Neighborcare said it has reviewed its processes and policies to ensure a similar incident does not occur.
More articles on dental:
Aspen Dental to bring 400 jobs to Arizona, to open 80 new offices in 2019
Washington state dental assistant suspended for using nitrous oxide on the job, health department says
Texas sets aside $20M for new dental school
The King County Health Department said the risk of infection is low and testing is precautionary. Neighborcare, a primary healthcare provider for low-income people, is working with the health department to address the incident.
Patients who choose to get testing will not have to pay for it.
"We immediately retrained all school-based dental staff in sterilization processes and policies," Neighborcare told King5 News. "We will also reassure that all new and current dental assistants across the Neighborcare Health organization are following sterilization procedures."
Neighborcare said it has reviewed its processes and policies to ensure a similar incident does not occur.
More articles on dental:
Aspen Dental to bring 400 jobs to Arizona, to open 80 new offices in 2019
Washington state dental assistant suspended for using nitrous oxide on the job, health department says
Texas sets aside $20M for new dental school