Partially sterilised dental tools case: Most patients notified, no infections so far

SINGAPORE — As of Monday, the National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS) had successfully contacted close to 98 per cent of the patients who had visited its outpatient clinics, where they received treatment with dental instruments that were not fully sterilised.

The centre also said in its press release yesterday that there had been no cases of infection arising from the incident so far.

Last week, news emerged that some packs of dental instruments that were partially sterilised were used on patients during their treatments on June 5 and 6 at its specialist outpatient clinics on levels 2, 4 and 6.

The NDCS said then that 72 packs of these instruments were used, although the number of patients treated with them could be fewer because more than one pack may be used on some patients. The instruments — such as probes, mirrors and orthodontic pliers — had gone through machine washing and thermal disinfection, but had not completed the final step of steam sterilisation. A staff member discovered the lapse on June 5 and the packs were recalled from the clinics.

Yesterday, the centre said it had contacted 697 of the 714 patients who had visited the clinics on those two days, and there were face-to-face discussions with 115 patients who had dropped by the centre for further clarifications after the phone calls.

“Our dentists explained the incident, reassured our patients of the extremely low risk of infection, and addressed concerns the patients had. NDCS will attempt various means to reach the remaining patients,” it said.

About 90 patients asked for blood tests after their consultation with the doctors, and the first test was given to establish their pre-existing state of infection or immunity before their visit to the centre on those two days, the NDCS said. More tests will be done three and six months after the incident.

There has been no HIV or hepatitis C infection detected so far after the first round of tests. However, 18 patients were found to have past infection of hepatitis B, of which two were identified to be Hepatitis B carriers.

In Singapore, about 20 per cent of the population has had past infection of hepatitis B and about 3.6 per cent of Singaporean adults are also hepatitis B carriers, the centre said. “NDCS apologises to patients for the incident and anxiety caused. Steps have been taken to strengthen our processes and ensure that this does not happen again.”

Affected patients who have any questions may call 6324 8005 during office hours or email ndcs_qsm [at] ndcs.com.sg.