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| Nottinghamshire Police probe health scare dentist death | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Police are looking into the death of a woman who died the same month as being treated by a dentist, currently under investigation for poor infection control practices. | |
| Desmond D'Mello, formerly of the Daybrook practice, has been suspended by the General Dental Council. | |
| NHS England said the Nottinghamshire dentist did not wash his hands or sterilise equipment between patients. | |
| Up to 22,000 former patients may have to be tested for blood-borne viruses. | |
| The 23-year-old woman died in 2013, the same month she had an operation. | |
| Experts said the risk of infection was believed to be low but thousands of people who used the practice in the Nottingham suburb are to be recalled and offered tests. | |
| A second woman, aged 29, died the same month after a procedure at the surgery but police said there was no link between her treatment and her death. | |
| Nottinghamshire Police said "We are making further enquiries, on behalf of the Coroner, into the death of a woman in August 2013," a spokeswoman said. | |
| "The 23-year-old had received treatment at the former Daybrook Dental Surgery, in Mansfield Road, earlier that month. | |
| "Detectives are now working to establish if there are any links between the death and the dental treatment she received." | |
| The hygiene concerns came to light when a whistle-blower contacted health authorities after filming covertly at the practice. | |
| Mr D'Mello had been tested and was not HIV positive, NHS England said. | |
| "Patients seen by Mr D'Mello appear to have been placed at a possible low risk of infection from blood-borne infections, due to multiple failures in cross-infection control measures," a spokesman said. | "Patients seen by Mr D'Mello appear to have been placed at a possible low risk of infection from blood-borne infections, due to multiple failures in cross-infection control measures," a spokesman said. |
| NHS England said it appeared Mr D'Mello failed to wash his hands and used the same instruments for more than one patient without sterilising them between appointments. | NHS England said it appeared Mr D'Mello failed to wash his hands and used the same instruments for more than one patient without sterilising them between appointments. |
| Two nurses who were filmed are also being investigated, but another dentist, who worked with Mr D'Mello at the time, is not under any suspicion. | Two nurses who were filmed are also being investigated, but another dentist, who worked with Mr D'Mello at the time, is not under any suspicion. |
| A Care Quality Commission inspection in July also raised concerns about the possibility of cross-contamination at the practice. | A Care Quality Commission inspection in July also raised concerns about the possibility of cross-contamination at the practice. |
| The report said the staff toilet and another room were being used as store rooms for equipment. | The report said the staff toilet and another room were being used as store rooms for equipment. |
| "This posed a risk of these items coming into contact with body fluids which may be contaminated," the report said. | "This posed a risk of these items coming into contact with body fluids which may be contaminated," the report said. |
| However, inspectors who had visited the clinic in November last year had given it a clean bill of health. | However, inspectors who had visited the clinic in November last year had given it a clean bill of health. |
| The new owners of the practice had renovated the property and addressed all the concerns, the inspectors said. | The new owners of the practice had renovated the property and addressed all the concerns, the inspectors said. |
| Patient reaction | Patient reaction |
| Nigel Shearing, from Huthwaite in Nottinghamshire, said: "I was his first patient when he came out of dental school and set up his practice. I've been seeing him for nearly 30 years. | Nigel Shearing, from Huthwaite in Nottinghamshire, said: "I was his first patient when he came out of dental school and set up his practice. I've been seeing him for nearly 30 years. |
| "He was a true professional, always spot on. He was one of the best dentists I've ever had. | "He was a true professional, always spot on. He was one of the best dentists I've ever had. |
| "I have absolutely zero concerns. I'm sure it's all nothing. If he practiced again, I'd continue to see him." | "I have absolutely zero concerns. I'm sure it's all nothing. If he practiced again, I'd continue to see him." |
| Beth Parsons, from Daybrook, who was a patient for 30 years, said: "I am in a state of shock ... absolutely amazed. We knew he was suspended but we didn't know why until this morning." | Beth Parsons, from Daybrook, who was a patient for 30 years, said: "I am in a state of shock ... absolutely amazed. We knew he was suspended but we didn't know why until this morning." |
| Dr Doug Black of NHS England said: "We are extremely sorry for the undoubted worry and concern that people may feel on hearing this news. | Dr Doug Black of NHS England said: "We are extremely sorry for the undoubted worry and concern that people may feel on hearing this news. |
| "I would like to stress again that the risk is low but would encourage anyone affected to contact the advice line." | "I would like to stress again that the risk is low but would encourage anyone affected to contact the advice line." |
| The NHS has written separately to the 166 patients who were captured on camera in the secret filming to explain what has happened. | The NHS has written separately to the 166 patients who were captured on camera in the secret filming to explain what has happened. |
| A statement from the HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust said the risk of patients being infected with HIV from equipment that was not properly sterilised was unlikely. | A statement from the HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust said the risk of patients being infected with HIV from equipment that was not properly sterilised was unlikely. |
| "It is right that these patients have been recalled, but we would reassure anyone who has been contacted that there is next to no risk of HIV being passed on in this way." | "It is right that these patients have been recalled, but we would reassure anyone who has been contacted that there is next to no risk of HIV being passed on in this way." |
| A hotline and a community clinic have been set up in Nottingham to handle any questions. | A hotline and a community clinic have been set up in Nottingham to handle any questions. |
| Are you affected by the NHS recall? Is someone you know affected? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist, please leave a contact number. | Are you affected by the NHS recall? Is someone you know affected? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist, please leave a contact number. |
| Have your say | Have your say |