Thousands at risk for HIV and Hepatitis from CO Dentist's Equipment

[pooh55811]

Hope this is the correct venue for this information:

Colorado: Thousands at HIV risk from dentist's reused syringes, needles
By NBC News, msnbc.com staff and news services

DENVER -- A suspended Colorado dentist reused syringes and needles in his now-shuttered practice, potentially exposing thousands of patients to HIV and hepatitis infection, health officials warned on Friday.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment sent letters to 8,000 patients of dentist Stephen Stein, urging them to seek tests for the diseases after learning of "unsafe injection practices" at two Denver-area clinics he owned between September 1999 and June 2011.

Investigators found that Stein reused needles and syringes in several patients' intravenous lines at his oral surgery and dental implant clinics, in violation of standard medical protocol, the department said in a statement.  "This practice has been shown to transmit infections," the statement said. .....

In the letters sent to Stein's former patients, the health department urged them to be tested for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, said Jan Stapleman, a department spokeswoman. ....."

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/14/12738017-colorado-thousands-at-hiv-risk-from-dentists-reused-syringes-needles?lite

[Dee1956]

Thanks for the article, it makes me wonder how many are not being caught

[LadyFoxx]

Sorry meant to say mouth or arm!  Wish we could fix errors.

[LadyFoxx]

That is ashame it's time for these kind of dentists to be exposed and make more people aware dentist  is sticking any needle in my arm or any where else unless I see them unwrap a new one!  They should be put in prison for acts such as what you posted its a CRIME to put people at risk like this and prison wont change anything but maybe if they are punished they will think twice.  Thanks for post just another reminder that we need to take care of our self's and ask questions when going to the dentist doctor etc...  

[pooh55811]

I guess I should really start reading the social side every day. I am probably missing a lot of info.

Yes, 8,000 people just from 1 dentist. I wonder how many more people contracted it from contaminated medical equipment at other clinics and offices (I think a great number).

[hrsepwrguy]

I also have a thread on this on the social side, it's from Denver local news and a little more in depth, over 8000 patients were put at risk, unbelievable!!!