Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1254596
14 BECKER'S DENTAL + DSO REVIEW - VOL. 2 JUNE 2020 Dental patients at Texas clinic contracted HIV, hep C due to poor sterilization, lawsuit claims By Mackenzie Garrity P atients of the Galveston County (Texas) Health Dis- trict who visited the public health clinic for dental procedures claim they contracted HIV and hepatitis C after their visits, according to the Star-Telegram. A lawsuit filed Feb. 26 against Galveston County Health District alleges poor and negligent care. In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs claim that poor sanitation and sterilization proce- dures caused them to contract the diseases. In 2018, inspectors uncovered poor sanitation and steril- ization of equipment at the Coastal Health & Wellness clin- ics, which are operated by the Galveston County Health District. Officials determined that up to 9,500 dental pa- tients could have been exposed to hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. Three patients are named in the lawsuit that alleges one contracted HIV and two contracted hepatitis C after under- going care at one of the clinics. One of those three patients died last year and is being represented in the lawsuit by her heirs. The Galveston County Health District declined to com- ment to the Star-Telegram. The plaintiffs are each seeking $5 million in damages. n QUALITY & INFECTION CONTROL 'Do not go see your dentist,' Ohio dental hygienist says By Gabrielle Masson O hio dental offices are allowed to reopen May 1, though one dental hygienist is urging nonemergency patients not to visit, citing a lack of personal protective equipment and safety concerns, according to radio station WOSU. Kristin, a dental hygienist in Ohio, said dental tools spray bacteria from patients' mouths into the air. WOSU didn't use Kristin's last name because she said she was concerned about retaliation from her workplace. She also voiced concern over supply shortages, noting that many offices donated their PPE to hospitals. Some dentists who donated to the stockpile in case of a patient surge at hospitals have asked for the supplies back, according to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. The governor said returning PPE is up to local emergency medical services. Most dental offices will have sufficient PPE supply to reopen, according to Tom Paumier, DDS, former president of the Ohio Dental Association. "Every individual will have to weigh their own risk tolerance as to what they feel is absolutely necessary for them to go back to work, and every employer will honor that," Dr. Paumier told WOSU. Kristin said she will have to go back to work, but is considering sending her children to stay with a relative so she doesn't risk exposing them to COVID-19. "Do not go see your dentist," Kristin said. "Don't come in. Be safe." n LOAN SOLUTIONS Working capital, personal, and SBA 7(a) loans customized around your unique needs. GET STA RT ED GET STA RT ED COLLECTION SERVICES A full suite of collection services designed to drive revenue back into your practice. Three companies, one complete solution.