Thousands who visited Sydney dentist urged to get tested for bloodborne viruses – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
Health authorities in New South Wales have asked thousands of people who visited a dental practice in Strathfield to get tested for bloodborne viruses. The request follows an investigation that identified shortcomings in infection control and record-keeping at the clinic run by Dr William Tam. Because the dentist has since retired, officials have no complete list of former patients and must rely on a public appeal to reach those potentially affected.
Why the Alert Matters Now
The development places renewed focus on patient safety long after the practice closed. Poor documentation means many individuals who received treatment over the past 25 years remain unaware of any possible exposure. Public health experts stress that early detection allows access to effective treatments before symptoms appear, which can take years or even decades for conditions such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
Authorities describe the risk to any single patient as low. Still, the cumulative number of people involved makes the precautionary step significant for the wider community. The alert underscores how gaps in clinical standards can create lasting uncertainty even when no confirmed infections have been linked to the practice.
What Investigators Found
NSW Health examined the operations at Suite B, 2 Albert Street, Strathfield, and identified deficiencies in how instruments were sterilised and how patient records were maintained. These lapses raised the possibility that bloodborne viruses could have been transmitted between patients. Dr Tam is no longer practising, which limits further direct oversight of the former clinic.
Without comprehensive records, contact tracing proved impossible. Officials therefore turned to a broad public message rather than targeted notifications. The approach mirrors similar alerts issued in other jurisdictions when historical infection-control issues surface at health facilities.
Steps Patients Should Take
Anyone who received dental care from Dr Tam is encouraged to visit their general practitioner for testing. The process is straightforward and involves a simple blood test that screens for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Results are usually available within days, and follow-up care can begin immediately if needed.
Local health districts have prepared guidance for GPs to ensure consistent handling of these requests. Patients do not need to provide proof of attendance; a verbal account of past visits is sufficient to trigger the recommended screening. Those who test positive can access modern antiviral therapies that manage or even cure the conditions in many cases.
What matters now: Former patients who act promptly can protect their own health and prevent any further transmission. Testing remains the only reliable way to know individual status.
Long-Term Health Context
Bloodborne viruses often remain silent for extended periods, which is why routine screening matters even without obvious symptoms. Effective treatments exist for all three conditions mentioned in the alert, and early intervention improves outcomes. Public health messaging emphasises that stigma should not deter anyone from seeking care.
The episode also highlights ongoing efforts by health regulators to review older practices and close any remaining gaps in standards. While most dental clinics maintain rigorous protocols, isolated cases like this one serve as reminders that vigilance must continue across the profession.
NSW Health continues to monitor the situation and will update advice if new information emerges. In the meantime, the priority remains straightforward: reach as many former patients as possible and encourage testing without delay.
