Santa Clara, CA: Several hundred veterans may have been infected hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV following reports of dental malpractice. A Department of Veterans Affairs dentist failed to correctly disinfect his equipment over a one-year period, according to a statement from the Veterans Affairs (VA).
The VA states that there is a low risk of infection, however, it sent out 592 letters alerting the affected service men and women of the risk. The Tomah VA Medical Center in Wisconsin said it was contacting all veterans who might have been exposed "out of an abundance of caution."
The VA is providing free screening and for individuals who test positive for infected hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV, free treatment will also be provided.
According to the VA statement, the dentist involved is no longer seeing patients and that actions are pending to "ensure that those responsible for this serious breach of patient trust are held accountable."
