Noteboom The Law Firm

Ohio Veterans Testing Positive For Hepatitis Following Dentist Visit

March 10, 2011 - As if the contamination issue at the John Cochran St. Louis VA Medical Center was not enough, last November it was reported there were potential contamination issues at the Dayton, Ohio VA Dental Clinic, which resulted in the clinic being shut down for weeks. The VA is offering free Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV testing to at least 535 veterans who may be at risk for infection following their visit to the dental clinic between the dates of January 1, 1992 and July, 28 2010.

Although the window of veterans exposed to infection due to continuous and blatant lapses in "infection control procedures" spans an incredible 18 years, VA officials maintain there is a very low risk of infection as the violations are restricted to the practices of a single clinician. Approximately 375 veterans have completed testing with 7 testing positive for Hepatitis C and 2 for Hepatitis B. The VA is offering all necessary treatment for any veteran testing positive.

The threat stems from the unsanitary practices of Dentist Dwight Pemberton, who voluntarily retired in the beginning of February; essentially insulating him from any administrative actions the dental clinic would have undertaken. Initial concerns centered around the "improper use of protective gear such as gloves" and certain dental tools used in dental procedures to include rotary cutting instruments. None of the allegations, however, involved any improper use of needles.

Pemberton admitted he did not wash his hands between treating patients nor did he always change his gloves between procedures. While the clinic was closed, the staff was re-trained on infection control procedures