A dental practice near London, Dentality@Hoddesdon, said on Monday that it had sent letters to patients who had received ultrasound scaling treatment, asking them to check for blood-borne viruses
The warning was issued after an internal probe into an independently-contracted hygienist who, the clinic said, failed to abide by its decontamination protocols for dental instruments. The dental worker was dismissed and the issue reported to the national healthcare authority.
Sky news reported that some 560 patients had been affected. Viruses spread through contamination by blood and other bodily fluids include HIV, and hepatitis B and C.