The Normandy Regional Health Agency noted “serious failings endangering the safety of staff and the quality and safety of care” during an inspection in a dental practice in Cherbourg (Manche). More than 1,100 patients are invited to be tested for hepatitis B and C as well as HIV.
More than 1,100 patients treated in a dental practice in Cherbourg (Manche) are invited to be screened for hepatitis B and C as well as HIV after “serious shortcomings” noted during an inspection, the Agency announced on Wednesday regional health of Normandy. “Given the worrying nature of the situation”, the ARS adds that it has suspended the right to practice of the dentist in question “for a maximum period of 5 months”.
“A lack of sterilization”
An inspection was carried out by ARS Normandie at the office of the dentist practicing in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. “During this inspection, ARS Normandy noted numerous serious breaches jeopardizing the safety of staff and the quality and safety of care,” writes the ARS in a press release, confirming information from Presse de la Manche . The ARS does not specify the nature of these “failures” but according to Presse de la Manche, equipment used in the dental office during treatment would have been subject to a “sterilization failure”.
“In application of the precautionary principle and on the basis of an assessment of the infectious risks incurred”, the ARS requested that “patients be informed, due to a low risk of transmission of hepatitis B viruses ( HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and HIV,” the press release continued. This measure concerns “all patients who have visited the office since its opening in January 2023”, numbering around 1,145. Each of them must be informed individually by mail to their home by the dental office.