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Patient Recall: Nottinghamshire
12 November 2014, 07:14 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50
The Deputy Prime Minister thinks the NHS were right to recall 22,000 dental patients in Nottinghamshire after potential infection breaches were made by a dentist.
Nick Clegg has told Capital he really feels for the people affected.
Undercover filming in Nottinghamshire appeared to show Desmond D'Mello using the same instruments on multiple patients without sterilising them, as well as re-using surgical gloves.
He worked at Daybrook Dental Practise in Gedling.
The NHS recall is thought to be the biggest in medical history.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg
Dr Doug Black, Medical Director, NHS England in Nottinghamshire
Low Risk of Infection
Some 166 people, who featured in the footage, are considered to be at the greatest risk of infection.
Mr D'Mello has recently been tested for blood-borne viruses and has been found to be clear of disease, but his actions may have put patients at risk.
He was suspended for 18 months by the General Dental Council on 21 August.
NHS England says it is not possible to know how long he has been using inadequate infection control procedures so they are asking anyone who has been treated by him to contact them. The patients will all need to undergo a blood test.
It said if there had been any transfer of blood between patients there is a low risk of the spread of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.
Hotline and Emergency Walk-in Centre
A dedicated advice line has been set up on 03330 142479 for guidance on how to access additional support and it is currently available 8am to 8pm seven days a week.
NHS England have also set up a temporary Community Clinic for patients, to provide further advice, counselling, and where necessary blood testing.
At the moment it's available 8am to 8pm seven days a week, at Arnold Health Centre, located at Highcroft Medical Centre on the High Street in Arnold, Nottingham.
'Scandal of Epic Proportions'
Vernon Coaker, MP for Gedling, has told Capital it's a scandal this has been allowed to happen and wants the government to act:
'We have asked for an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State for Health and will seek assurances of behalf of Gedling residents that everything possible is being done to resolve these very worrying and urgent matters.
