Students that received dental services at a dozen schools around Seattle and Vashon Island were advised to get tested for HIV, hepatitis B and C after being exposed to improperly cleaned dental equipment.

Students at a dozen Puget Sound schools could be at risk for HIV and hepatitis B and C due to improperly sterilized dental equipment.

Neighborcare Health notified the guardians of 1,250 kids treated at dental clinics in twelve schools around Seattle and Vashon Island about the risk. Neighborcare Health is the primary health care provider for low-income families at those schools.

The risk of infection is low and the testing is precautionary, according to the King County Department of Health.

Testing will be proved to patients at no cost.

Neighborcare Health said the following schools where dental services are offered were potentially impacted:

Seattle

Denny International Middle School

Chief Sealth International High School

Van Asselt Elementary

Mercer Middle School

Roxhill Elementary

West Seattle Elementary

Highland Park Elementary

Madison Middle School

Beacon Hill International

Bailey Gazert Elementary

Vashon Island

Chautauqua Elementary

McMurray Middle School

A statement from Neighborcare Health read in part:

"We immediately re-trained all school-based dental staff in sterilization processes and policies. We will also reassure that all new and current dental assistants across the Neighborcare Health organization are following sterilization procedures. We continue to review our processes and policies and refine our standards as necessary to ensure that we operate in a manner consistent with our nonprofit mission to provide safe and high-quality care to our patients."

Seattle Public Schools released the following statement on Tuesday: