Health officials urge closed dental clinic’s patients to get HIV testing
901-333-2014
After a Memphis dental clinic was closed earlier this month because of unsanitary conditions, health officials Monday encouraged thousands of patients to get tested for hepatitis B and C and HIV as a precaution.
On July 1, the health department closed SPT Dental Clinic at 2682 Lamar Ave., deeming it a health hazard.
Shelby County Health Department officials said Monday that no patients at the dentist office from Shelby County, Mississippi and Arkansas had tested positive for any of the diseases, but more than 3,000 patients who have been treated there since 2007 could be at risk.
“We are strongly urging anyone that has received care at SPT Dental or services provided by Director of Health Alisa Haushalter (left) and Health Officer Dr. Helen Morrow encourage patients of a dental clinic to get tested Monday.
Dr. (Alfred) Brown that they be tested for bloodborne pathogens and that would include hepatitis B, hepatitis C as well as HIV,” said Dr. Alisa Haushalter, director of health at the health department. “At this time we have no information that indicates that there was an actual transmission at the practice, but in the best interest of the public we are urging all individuals to get tested.”
In compliance with Tennessee code defining an imminent health hazard as “any condition, deficiency, or practice that, if not corrected, is very likely to result in illness, injury, or loss of life to any person,” the clinic was closed.
Health officials said the complaint was filed by a patient through the state dental board and included problems with hand-washing techniques and sterilization of dental equipment.
Dr. Brown, the dentist at the clinic, has had his license suspended as the state dental board investigates him and his practice, officials said Monday during a news conference.
SPT Clinic has been operating at the Lamar location since 2007, and officials are reviewing all patient records.
“We have to say that those records could be incomplete, so going back to 2007 that is somewhere around 3,500 records,” said Dr. Helen Morrow, the health officer at the Shelby County Health Department.
The majority of patients are in Memphis and Shelby County, but officials have also contacted health officials in Mississippi and Arkansas.
They have also posted the information nationwide with health officials in case some patients have moved from the surrounding areas.
Officials said Dr. Brown and his staff have cooperated with health officials.
There is no criminal investigation into Dr. Brown at this time.
Patients can get free HIV and hepatitis testing at the Cawthon Clinic at 1000 Haynes Street. Questions and appointments can be made by calling 901-222-9299.