Free Helpline Set Up For Patients Treated By HIV Positive Dentist
A free helpline has been set up to help patients that received treatment from a dentist, who has been recently diagnosed with HIV.
Patients of the Kelburne Dental Surgery have been contacted by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and advised to have a test for HIV. This is because it has been revealed that dentist, Harry Robertson, is HIV positive. Mr Robertson worked at the practice for several years and also covered locum shifts at Nithbank Hospital.
The health board is trying to track down any patients who received treatment at the surgery between January 2004 and March 2013. Although health officials stress that the risk of contracting HIV is very small, they advise all patients who received treatment from Mr Robertson to get tested. A new helpline has been set up to offer information and advice to those affected. The helpline number is available from 8am until 10pm until September 1st on: 0800 028 2816.
Mr Robertson has now stopped working but some patients are worried by the news. One mum, who preferred not to be named, told a local newspaper that she was “disgusted” by the revelations and felt panicked by the testing process and the wait for results. The mother said that her entire family has been visiting the practice for many years and added that she felt sick and started shaking when she received the information from the health board.
The health trust is advising anyone who thinks they may have been treated by Mr Robertson to contact the helpline so that a member of staff can check their name against the list of patients.
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