Six Sydney dentists have been suspended over poor hygiene control that may have exposed up to 12,000 patients to HIV and hepatitis.
NSW Health is recommending people who had invasive procedures at the Gentle Dentist in Campsie and Sussex St or the Surry Hills and Bondi Junction surgeries of Dr Robert Starkenburg be tested for blood-borne diseases.
Gentle Dentist operator Dr Samson Chan, four of his staff and Dr Starkenburg have all been suspended following investigations prompted by customer complaints.
"There is an array of problems, including the cleaning of instruments, functioning of sterilisers, the knowledge of the practitioners and recording of the results of the sterilising equipment," Dr Jeremy McAnulty, director, Health Protection at NSW Health told reporters in Sydney.
Another six dentists from the Gentle Dentist have had conditions placed on their licences.
NSW Health says there is no evidence of transmission and chances of infection are low.
Remaining staff at the Gentle Dentist have kept the practices open, while Mr Starkenburg's surgeries have been closed.
