Home dentist sparks health scare
Patients warned about risk of HIV, hepatitis B and C
After shutting down an unlicensed dental office in a southwest residence last week, Alberta Health Services is asking anyone who received services there to be tested for several serious viruses, including HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
“Our investigation has shown there was not appropriate cleaning of instruments.
“Whoever accessed services here might have been exposed to bloodborne viruses,” said Dr. Judy MacDonald, medical officer of health for AHS Calgary Zone
“Simply wiping down an instrument with a wet cloth does not reduce those risks.”
AHS is alerting anyone who received dental care at 20 Somervale Close S.W. and/or from Natalia Prohkin, of the same address, to call HealthLink at 811 to arrange for simple, confidential laboratory blood testing.
While MacDonald couldn’t say how many patients had been treated at the residential office, she did say there were several dental stations and chairs on site.
And while there was no evidence of any public promotion of the dental services, even through online advertising, investigators suspect it was mostly family and friends treated by Prohkin at the home.
Investigators at the inspection said Prohkin did not provide a list of patients, and did not answer all of their questions in a forthright manner, MacDonald added.
It is not clear whether extractions or other major procedures requiring drugs and freezing were occurring on site, MacDonald added, although there was some evidence that cleaning and fillings were being performed.
Prohkin, which is a name of Eastern European or Russian descent, is not from Canada.
MacDonald could not say whether she is licensed to practise dentistry in other parts of the world.
Neighbours of the two-storey Somerset home said they did not know Prohkin or that there was a dental office operating out of a home on their street.
No one at the home answered the door, which has a sign posted saying “Alberta Health Services has ordered this community healthcare facility closed.” But with wicker furniture and snow shovels leaning up against the porch, it appeared someone was still living there.
“My biggest concern as a public health officer is to ensure that anyone who accessed services here be tested,” MacDonald stressed.
“To prevent the spread of infection from one person to another, equipment used in dental procedures must be cleaned, disinfected and sterilized according to health standards.
“This unlicensed, home-based dental operation did not have these proper sterilization or sanitation processes in place, meaning individuals who received dental services through this operation may have been exposed to viruses, including hepatitis B and C, and HIV.”
AHS ordered the closure of the unlicensed operation on March 21. But because the investigation has not revealed a list of clientele, AHS issued the health advisory to
This unlicensed, home-based dental operation did not have … proper sterilization or sanitation processes
alert anyone who received dental care from Prohkin of the need to be tested.
Officials say the operation will remain under closure order unless significant changes are made to meet all legislative and licensing requirements in Alberta. This includes ensuring the individual delivering dental care is a licensed dentist.
AHS was alerted to the practice through a private complaint.
It is the responsibility of the Alberta Dental Association and College (ADAC) to licence dentists practising in the province of Alberta. To confirm a dentist is licensed to practise in Alberta, or to file a complaint about a dentist in Alberta, Albertans can contact the ADAC toll-free at 1-800-843-3848.
All closure orders issued by AHS can be viewed online at http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/3150.asp.