Former Patients of Shuttered Burien Dental Clinic Urged to Get Hepatitis, HIV Tests

Patients who recently had services performed at a Burien dental office are being advised to get tested for Hepatitis and HIV after issues were discovered with the clinic’s sterilization practices.

After a complaint, health officials conducted an inspection of the George M. Davis Dental clinic in August, which revealed multiple infection control problems, “including the cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and storage of reprocessed instruments,” according to the Seattle/King County Department of Health. Davis’ dental license was suspended immediately.

Among the findings in the inspection, in addition to instrument sterilization issues, according to the Washington State Department of Health:

  • Most areas of the dental office were cluttered, disorganized and messy and had evidence that a dog regularly was present in the main room, including dog food in a bowl and a pet bed in an exam room.
  • Food, drink and food-soiled dishes were on counters with dental supplies and in refrigerators alongside dental products.
  • Discovery of numerous expired products, including luting cement with a written expiration that had passed years ago.
  • No proof he or employees had received Hepatitis B vaccinations.
  • Masks were not changed between patients.

To view the other findings, please click here.

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