A dentist at the centre of a scare that is leading to thousands of patients being recalled over fears they could have been infected with HIV and other blood-borne viruses has been named.
A public appeal has been launched to trace 22,000 patients who have been treated by Desmond D’Mello, who allegedly did not follow proper procedures over 32 years.His patients in Nottinghamshire will be tested for blood-borne viruses including HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.
NHS England stressed that Mr D’Mello is not infected with any of the viruses himself, but said his alleged failure to follow clinical standards may have put his patients at low risk of infection.Mr D’Mello has been suspended after a whistleblower secretly filmed him allegedly breaching clinical standards, the NHS said.HS England is now contacting the 166 patients who were filmed without consent to explain what happened, and offer assurances that the footage is securely stored.It is not known whether the whistlelblower was a member of staff, a patient or someone else who became concerned about lax safety procedures at the surgery. NHS England said their identity would not be disclosed, as they are protected by whistleblowing laws.He was suspended in June this year and the NHS launched an immediate investigation into “apparent multiple failures in cross-infection control standard whilst undergoing dental treatment”.The investigation is ongoing and no findings have been reported yet.
Source: The Telegraph