Current and former patients of a Sydney dentist are being urged to get tested for blood borne viruses, including HIV and hepatitis, after poor hygiene standards were uncovered at a dental surgery in Mortdale.
NSW Health has issued a closure order for the dental surgery where Dr Safuan Hasic, also known as Steven Hasic, works after infection control breaches were identified at his practice on Victoria Avenue.
The department said dental work performed on site by Mr Hasic may have posed a risk of patient exposure to blood borne viruses, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV, due to poor cleaning and inadequate sterilisation of dental equipment.
Mr Hasic’s registration as a dental practitioner has been suspended by the Dental Council of NSW.
The NSW Chief Health Officer is warning people not to seek dental treatment from Mr Hasic while the order is in effect or while Mr Hasic is suspended as a dental practitioner.
NSW Health has been able to identify a small number of patients treated at the practice and is contacting them with health advice.
However, a large proportion of his patients are unknown to NSW Health and are unable to be contacted directly.
Director of South Eastern Sydney Local Health District’s Public Health Unit, Dr Vicky Sheppeard, said while the potential risk of infection is low, blood borne viruses can have serious health impacts.
A large proportion of patients are unable to be contacted directly according to NSW Health
‘Any current or former patients of Mr Hasic should see their GP as soon as possible and ask to be tested for blood borne viruses as a precautionary measure,’ Dr Sheppeard said.
‘Blood borne viruses can be spread between clients on dental instruments where there isn’t stringent infection control.
‘People infected with blood borne viruses may not show symptoms for many years, so it is important to be tested to see if there is silent infection. There are effective treatments for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.’
Mr Hasic has been practicing dental work at his Mortdale practice since the 1980s and was suspended by the Dental Council of NSW last month.
People who have had tests for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV after their last visit with Mr Hasic should check with their GP if more tests are required, even if results were negative.
NSW Health is working with the Dental Council of NSW and Health Care Complaints Commission to investigate this matter further.
For more information about blood borne viruses contact 1300 066 055 or see the NSW Health infectious diseases fact sheets on hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.
