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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Up to 5000 patients of a Sydney dentist may have been exposed to blood-borne viruses, but a lack of patient records means health authorities are struggling to identify and alert them.<\/p>\n NSW Health is urging all patients treated by Dr William Tam, who practised at Suite B, 2 Albert Road, Strathfield, to see their GP or healthcare provider to undergo testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV as a precaution.<\/p>\n Health authorities conducted an inspection of Tam\u2019s clinic on April 24, following a complaint to the Dental Council of NSW. They found poor infection-control practices, including inadequate sterilisation of equipment and cleaning.<\/p>\n \u201cFor this reason, concerns were raised about the potential for blood-borne virus transmission,\u201d Dr Leena Gupta, clinical director of public health at Sydney Local Health District, said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe risk is low, but we are encouraging testing as a precautionary measure,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Tam retired two weeks later and is no longer a registered dentist, Gupta said.<\/p>\n Gupta said thousands of people may have been seen by Tam over the past 25 years, but the practices\u2019 record-keeping was so poor that NSW Health is unable to identify and contact patients.<\/p>\n \u201cPatients who underwent invasive dental procedures [in which] instruments may have pierced the skin or the root of the tooth or the gum or drawn blood, would be at a slightly higher risk, but overall, the risk … is still considered to be low,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n No cases of blood-borne viruses linked to Tam\u2019s practice have been detected.<\/p>\n Gupta said people with HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C may not have any symptoms for decades, stressing the importance that anyone potentially exposed seeks testing, so they can access effective treatments if necessary.<\/p>\n NSW Health directed former patients of Tam to fact sheets on hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV<\/a>, and to contact their GP or Healthdirect<\/a> for further information.<\/p>\n Call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222<\/a> for free, instant health advice at any time.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"NSW](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/80da870f9317640721a80fc1902e6cc6478ed887.jpeg\")
NSW Health is recommending patients of a Sydney dentist, Dr Tam of Strathfield, seek testing for blood-borne viruses.Quentin Jones<\/p>\n