Sterilisation blunder prompts stricter regulations in Australia
The Australian Dental Association has called for stricter regulations regarding the sterilisation process following an incident in north Queensland.
Earlier this week, children in the town of Mackay were treated using instruments that had not been fully sterilised; they are now waiting for the results of blood tests to check they have not contracted any infections. The children were treated at a mobile dental unit on Tuesday and have also been offered counselling and Hepatitis B vaccinations.
Representatives from the Australian Dental Association have condemned the blunder but have insisted that mobile dental units usually deliver first-rate dental care and are an integral part of the modern dental care system.
Dr Moroney, from the ADA, said that current procedures need to be reviewed to prevent any further incidents occurring in the future; this latest incident comes just months after another sterilisation blunder at a dental clinic in Bundaberg. The case has now been referred to the Health Quality and Commissions Board.
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