Patients at Burlington dental clinic warned over improperly cleaned tools

Halton Region is warning patients of a Burlington dental clinic to get tested for infectious diseases after they may have been exposed to improperly cleaned equipment at the practice.

Upper Middle Dental was closed immediately after the revelation was made during a routine health department inspection on June 9.

The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario suspended Dr. Vick Handa’s licence to practise on June 12, the region said in a news release. A re-inspection conducted on June 14 confirmed the office now “meets the required infection prevention and control standards.”

The college lifted the suspension on June 16.

“Improperly cleaned dental instruments carry a low risk of transmitting infectious diseases, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to clients,” Dr. Daniela Kempkens, Halton’s acting medical officer of health, said in the release.

Right now, Halton Region has “no evidence that any disease transmission from the dental office to a patient has occurred,” spokesperson Heather Anderson said.

The health department has sent 9,000 letters to past and current clients over the past 10 years, recommending they contact their doctors.

“Cases like this are extremely rare,” a college spokesperson said in the release. “Dentists are extensively trained on infection prevention and our mandatory continuous education program makes the subject a priority.”

A person at Handa’s office Tuesday said he would not comment on the matter. The college said Handa hasn’t faced complaints in the past.