Colorado dentist put thousands at HIV risk by reusing needles
July 17th, 2012 - 6:15 pm ICT by Aishwarya BhattColorado, July 17 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Several thousands of people have been exposed to the risk of HIV infection following what authorities describe as “unsafe practices” by a dentist.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment carried out investigation into the practices of Dr. Stephen Stein’s facilities. After the investigation, the authorities sent letters to 8,000 of Stein’s patients advising them to get tested for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C because of the risk the doctor exposed them to.
Stein is accused of reusing needles on his patients. Authorities say there has been no confirmed case of infection linked to the practice of Stein. Authorities say no formal charges have been brought against the dentist.
He is however under a separate investigation for prescription fraud. His dentistry license in Colorado has been suspended by the state’s Department of Regulatory Agencies.
Officials suspect that more people may have been exposed to risk because Stein’s patient records were not complete. Officials are thus advising all patients of the doctor to go for a test if they have visited his facility between September 1999 and June 2011.
According to the authorities, if any patient test positive for any of the infection, there is no way that it can be determined if Stein was responsible.
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