Patients who received treatment at a dental clinic in Hamilton, Ontario, may have been exposed to improperly sterilized instruments for nearly six years, CTV News reported Wednesday.
Hamilton Public Health Services (HPHS) is advising patients who received care at the office operated by Dr. Merenisa Gonzales-Diaz between July 25, 2019, and Feb. 20, 2025, to get tested, as they may have been exposed to improperly sterilized instruments.
HPHS says it has “identified infection prevention and control concerns” at Dentistry At Fennell & Ottawa, located at 1134 Fennell Avenue East near Upper Ottawa Street.
Meanwhile, The Hamilton Spectator reported that the city launched an investigation on Feb. 20. The probe found inadequate reprocessing practices and a lack of records to confirm that instruments were properly sterilized. Public health initiated the investigation after receiving a complaint about the clinic, operated by Gonzales-Diaz.
The clinic has since taken corrective action and, as of Feb. 24, meets the required infection prevention and control standards, the report stated.
The matter has been referred to the regulatory college.
