Patients of two dental clinics in Sydney may have been exposed to HIV, hepatitis and other infectious diseases. About 980 patients received letters in January from Sydney's local health district informing them of a possible "low risk" infection if they had undergone treatment between Aug. 2002 and Aug. 2013.

Health authorities advised dental patients who visited the dental clinics between the given period to consult with their doctors to check for infection. The two dental clinics in Sydney were found to be using medical equipment on patients without proper sterilisation.

The warnings came following the investigation of dental clinics in Sydney. One dental practice is located at 255 Castlereagh Street and operated by Nuha Kamil while the other is a clinic on Alfred Street in North Sydney.

Vicky Sheppeard, NSW Helath Director of Communicable Diseases, had announced recently that the dental clinics have been inspected in a response to a patient's complaint regarding sanitation.

Based on the results of the investigation, the clinics were using medical instruments that lacked proper cleaning and sterilisation. Although Ms Sheppeard believes the risk of infection is low, the patients still had to be notified to inform them of potential exposure. Dental patients may have themselves tested if they want to.

Ms Sheppeard said there were no reports of any kind of infection. She added that not all people who received dental care in the Sydney clinics were at risk. Dental patients who had extractions where medical instruments were used may possibly be at risk.

Ms Sheppeard explained that a blood-borne virus on the dental instruments may be transferred to a patient though extractions and other procedures.

Hair clinic patients possibly exposed

It was not the first time that patients in Sydney clinics were at risk to HIV because of improper sterilisation on medical instruments. A hair clinic in Sydney was suspected of exposing patients to HIV. Australian authorities have warned the New Zealand Ministry of Health that bald patients of a hair treatment clinic in Sydney may have been exposed to HIV and other infectious diseases because of poor infection control practices.

New Zealanders who sought cosmetic hair treatment and replacement in the Sydney clinic now bore the risk of a blood-borne infection. Australia issued the warning for patients who were treated in the clinic of Dr Angela Campbell, located in Macquarie Street. Those who went there for treatment between the period of Dec. 2010 and Feb. 2013 might be affected and were advised to undergo screening tests.

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