Health risk for patients of Sydney dentist

NSW authorities are asking anyone who was treated at James Pok-Yan Ng's dental surgery in Haberfield to visit their GP to get tested for blood-borne viruses.

Dental Surgery

Dental Surgery Source: Dental, Andrej Isakovic, Getty

Patients at a Sydney dental surgery may have been exposed to viruses including hepatitis B, C and HIV.

The NSW Health and the Dental Council of NSW is recommending that anyone who was treated at James Pok-Yan Ng's practice in Haberfield over the past 35 years to visit a GP for blood tests.

While no patients have been identified with blood-borne virus infections related to the inner-west surgery, there was a "low" risk of infection - especially for people who had invasive procedures.

"This would have involved a needle or other instrument piercing the skin, gums or tooth root, or where bleeding may have occurred, but we recommend any patient of this practice sees their GP," Sydney Local Health District's Dr Zeina Najjar said in a statement on Wednedsay.

Health inspectors recently found cleaning and sterilisation practices at the surgery breached infection control guidelines.

Dr Ng has been suspended from working as a dentist.

Share
1 min read

Published

Updated

By Helen Chen

Share this with family and friends


News

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
Independent news and stories connecting you to life in Australia and Mandarin-speaking Australians.
Understand the quirky parts of Aussie life.
Get the latest with our exclusive in-language podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
Simplified Chinese Collection

Simplified Chinese Collection

Watch onDemand
Health risk for patients of Sydney dentist | SBS Chinese