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The Region of Peel says patients of the Mississauga-based dental clinic Alforat Dental Center could have been exposed to bloodborne illnesses such as hepatitis and HIV.

Peel Public Health is advising anyone who received dental services at the clinic (located at 2395 Cawthra Rd., Unit 1) between February 2014 and September 19, 2019, to be tested, as a precaution, for bloodborne infections.

After receiving a complaint, Peel Public Health inspected the clinic and identified concerns with the cleaning, sterilization and storage of dental equipment. The clinic was temporarily closed on Sept. 20. It reopened on Oct. 7, 2019, once the clinic demonstrated compliance with provincial infection prevention and control standards.

Although the risk of infection is considered low, patients are advised to talk to their doctor about getting tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.

"The investigation identified several improper processes where we could not confirm the sterility of the dental equipment used at the clinic," said Dr. Jessica Hopkins, Medical Officer of Health for the Region of Peel.

"As a precaution, we recommend that all clinic patients speak to their doctor about getting tested to rule out bloodborne infections."

Current and previous patients of Alforat Dental Center are advised to download this lab requisition for blood work and bring it to their doctor or walk-in clinic.

Additional information is available in the Q&A document and at peelregion.ca/dental-alert.