A new report states more testing is needed for dental patients and their families who may be at risk due to violations of infection-control policies at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center dental clinic in Dayton, OH, according to a story by WHIO TV.
The 3,000-page report was released September 19 by U.S. Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH). More infectious disease testing should be offered to past dental patients and their family members, the report concluded.
The report was authored by experts from the Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association, the Kettering Health Network, and experts provided by Turner. It comes after two patients tested positive for new cases of hepatitis B, and one patient tested positive for hepatitis C.
Much of the material included in the report comes from the VA's own documents. But panel members complained that all the requested material was not turned over, including disciplinary or credential information on Dwight Pemberton, DDS, the dentist who allegedly failed to properly sterilize dental instruments between patients, according to the story.
So far, the VA has not agreed on the need for more testing.
The report also suggests new legislation regarding medical practices at VA clinics and the creation of a community task force to oversee care for veterans.
A report released in April by the VA's Office of the Inspector General confirmed that the VAMC in Ohio failed to follow infection-control policies, putting hundreds of dental patients at risk of infection for nearly 20 years.
In February, the VA notified 535 veterans that they may have been exposed to hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV by Dr. Pemberton between 1992 and 2010. Of these, 507 have been tested. There have been no new cases of HIV identified in the 535 patients, according to the VA.
Dr. Pemberton, 81, retired in February, before the VA took disciplinary action against him. He has denied the allegations against him.
Guy Richardson, the medical center's former director, was reassigned to Cincinnati after the infection control scandal. He has since been appointed as a regional deputy network director in Maryland.
