An HIV scare has hit a town in Washington state amid concerns over cleaning practices at a local dental clinic.
Patients of Dr Sandy Montano were warned in a letter this week that they should be tested for the virus, as well as Hepatitis B and CÂ because of possible exposure at the dentist’s office.
After investigating his Deer Park Central Clinic in Spokane County, home to about 550,000 people, health officials had become concerned that ‘improper cleaning’ could have spread infections.
Although calling for testing, the officials said the risk of infection was ‘believed to be low’ and no cases linked to the clinic had yet been reported.
The HIV scare hit patients of the Deer Park Dental Clinic in Spokane County, Washington
Dr Sandy Montano is pictured above. His clinic has triggered the alert from health officials
HIV and Hepatitis B and C are blood-borne infections and can be spread between patients if infected blood from one patient gets into another’s bloodstream.
The warning letters were sent to anyone who was treated at the clinic between November 2021 and June 2022, though it is not known how many people received a notice or how many patients the dentist had.Â
An investigation revealed allegations that Dr Montano at times did not wear gloves while working with patients or wore dirty, damaged or pre-used gloves.
He also allegedly retrieved single-use towels and other equipment from the trash, which were said to have been soaked in paint thinner before reuse.
Dr Montano also reportedly employed a dental assistant who was not licensed to perform the tasks and procedures that were required.
he has denied the allegations, and also dismissed the warnings to local people from officials as ‘unwarranted’ to local reporters today.
Dr Montano was first investigated in November 2021 and had his license suspended in June 2022.
In April this year when the investigation concluded, Dr Montano then had his license revoked.
The clinic does not appear to still be operating.Â
Raising the alarm in their release, officials said: ‘The potential infection control breaches were reported as a complaint and include improper cleaning and disinfection of reusable equipment and improper reuse of disposable equipment which could expose patients to blood and other infectious material.’
Dr Montano slammed the investigation to local reporters at The Spokesman-Review, saying it is being carried out because of allegations made by three former employees who he claims were embezzling funds.Â
About 14,000 people in Washington state are estimated to have HIV, a number that rises by about 400 people every year. In Spokane county, more than 450 people are thought to be infected, according to local officials.
Many people infected with HIV start to show symptoms within two to six weeks of infection, which presents like a flu-like illness.
Symptoms may then subside for years, raising the risk someone could unknowingly pass on the virus to others.
HIV used to be a death sentence, but with the advent of new medications people infected with the virus can now lead a healthy and normal life.
Treatment includes antiretroviral therapy (ART) which can get the virus down to undetectable levels, which experts say means someone will not be able to pass it on to others.
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus that is spread via contact with infected blood or semen. Symptoms include fever, fatigue and loss of appetite. It is rarely fatal.
And hepatitis C is also a liver disease. It is spread through exposure to infected blood, body fluids or syringes and has similar symptoms.
It has a fatality rate of about 3.18 deaths per 100,000 people.
