More than 450 people have had blood tests to establish whether they developed infections due to poor hygiene practices of a dentist who has caused a health scare involving an estimated 22,000 former patients.
About a further 1,500 sought advice either at a specially set-up clinic or from a helpline within hours of health chiefs announcing they were investigating failures by Desmond D’Mello. He was suspended from NHS work in June and barred from practising altogether in August pending inquiries by the NHS, the coroner and his professional disciplinary body.
A plea for all those treated by D’Mello at the Daybrook dental centre in Arnold, Nottinghamshire, over 32 years to contact the authorities on Wednesday morning prompted an enormous response to one of the biggest recalls in NHS history. It was needed because the age of the records at his practice meant it was not possible to write to all those possibly affected.
More than 600 people attended a temporary clinic in the town, with 452 being tested and more than 150 taking away information before making a decision. Another 1,333 people used the 8am to 8pm hotline.
The death of one of D’Mello’s patients, 23-year-old Amy Duffield in August 2013 from viral acute myocarditis – a heart infection – is being investigated on behalf of coroner Mairin Casey. Amy’s mother, Sharon, said on Wednesday: “Amy was my life. She was unique – my best friend as well as my daughter. Of course I miss her terribly, having lost her at such a young age with so much of her life in front of her.
“I have nothing but admiration for the superb care given to Amy by the NHS in the last days of her life. They did their very best to save her, but it wasn’t to be. We will of course be interested in the findings of the investigation, whatever the outcome, but it won’t bring Amy back.”
The tests are to determine whether any of D’Mello’s patients might have contracted blood-borne viruses, especially HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C, which can take many years to result in obvious symptoms, because of unsafe practices at his surgery. Health officials say the risk is low but want to be sure after the discovery of apparent multiple failures in infection control.
D’Mello has been tested and found clear of blood-borne viruses so there was no risk of infection for him, they say. His former clinic has different owners, which are in no way connected with the incident.
The helpline number is 03330 142479.
