Risk of HIV and Hepatitis Transmission After Dental Treatment: Urgent Testing Required

2023-10-08 12:42:22

Several patients from hospitals in Tarbes, Lourdes and Bagnères-de-Bigorre (Hautes-Pyrénées) received a letter at the beginning of October inviting them to be tested for HIV and hepatitis after dental treatment in these establishments.

Specific equipment used during treatment was subject to a lack of sterilization

“You have been treated for dental care in one of our establishments (Tarbes, Lourdes, Bagnères-de-Bigorre). During your visit, specific equipment used during your care was subject to a lack of sterilization. Measures have been put in place to correct these malfunctions,” specifies the management of the Tarbes, Lourdes and Bagnères-de-Bigorre hospitals in the letter.

“An extremely low risk of infectious disease transmission”

But for hospital management, there is no need to panic. “This defect results in an extremely low risk of infectious disease transmission. This is why we would like to inform you, as part of our obligations to inform and monitor patients, and we invite you to make an appointment with your attending physician with this letter,” specifies the management.

You should see your doctor

The hospital specifies that it is now up to the attending physician to take matters in hand. “Your doctor will give you appropriate medical information and can prescribe the appropriate screening tests. In particular, it is recommended to carry out a screening test for infections with hepatitis B and C viruses and human immunodeficiency (HIV). These screening tests consist of a blood test and can be carried out by the free information, screening and diagnostic center (CeGIDD), near your home, free of charge, upon presentation of this letter; or in the medical biology laboratory of your choice, if you have mutual insurance, with presentation of the prescription from your attending physician and this letter. Depending on the results, follow-up methods may be offered to you by the doctor who took care of you,” specifies the management of the Tarbes, Lourdes and Bagnères-de-Bigorre hospitals.

Not a first in France

People who have donated blood since their dental treatment must also take additional steps. “If you have donated blood since these dental treatments, we encourage you to contact the French Blood Establishment in your region with this letter and the screening results. If you do not have a GP or if you need clarification on screening and the risks involved, we invite you to call the following toll-free number: 0 800 732 332 Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This is not the first time in France that patients have received such mail. It happened at the Hospices Civils de Lyon in May 2023. 5000 patients had been recalled.