Health Regulators Issue Warnings After Illegal Clinics Raided in Melbourne
Health regulators in Australia have issued warnings to the public after a series of illegal dental clinics were raided in the northern suburbs of Melbourne.
According to regulators, three clinics have been found to be operating illegally, just a short period of time after a dentist was charged for providing treatment without the relevant registration. Just a few weeks ago, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) charged illegal dentist Muhammet Velipasaoglu for offering treatment for over a decade without a valid license. In the last few days, regulators have raided a series of clinics and three are subject to further investigations.
Regulators believe that illegal procedures may have been carried out at clinics in Yaralla Court, Roxburgh Park and Preston Avenue and investigations are underway. Nobody has been arrested at this time.
Martin Fletcher, head of the AHPRA, said that there was evidence to suggest that treatment had been provided by unlicensed dentists at premises in the areas listed above and the Victoria Department of Health and Human Services has been informed.
Investigations were carried out after a registered dental practitioner tipped off the AHPRA after seeing a patient who had been treated at one of the clinics. Mr Fletcher said there were concerns that the clinics may be linked and that there seemed to be a cluster of cases that will now be investigated thoroughly. For now, anyone who has concerns about the treatment they received or believes that they have been treated by an illegal dentist is asked to contact the AHPRA.
Victoria’s acting chief health officer, Dr Finn Romanes, confirmed that evidence seems to point to the fact that people in the local community have received treatment from unlawful dentists and this carries concerns related to infection control and quality of care. Anyone who has worries or concerns is advised to contact the health department’s hotline on 1800 356 061.
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