Health risk for patients of Sydney dentist

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.