Senate hearing sought on Dayton VA dental clinic

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By Ben Sutherly, Staff Writer 10:02 PM Friday, February 11, 2011

DAYTON — U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown on Friday called failures in infection control at the Dayton VA Medical Center’s dental clinic “an outrage” and requested a Senate hearing.

His comments came three days after the Dayton VA offered free screenings to at least 535 veterans to see if they were infected with Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV at the dental clinic between 1992 and July 2010.

The veterans had been seen by a dentist who failed to change latex gloves between appointments and did not sterilize dental equipment properly.

At least one former clinic supervisor took little action after he was told of the dentist’s poor infection control practices.

“This is outrageous that it’s happened,” Brown, a member of the Senate’s veterans’ affairs committee, said Friday. “It’s outrageous that no one has blown the whistle on this.”

Brown said he wanted to know the full extent of what happened.

“When something this serious happens, people who are responsible have to be held responsible,” he said. In a prepared statement Friday, the Dayton VA said, “failure to follow infection control procedures is not acceptable and we take the safety of our patients seriously. We are deeply sorry for the concern this circumstance has caused veterans and their families. The administrative action process has been initiated to ensure ... liable consequences are implemented to address disappointing actions.”

The Dayton VA has declined to identify the 81-year-old dentist by name. He hasn’t seen patients since July 28.

“It would at least be questioned that someone at that age was still practicing,” Brown said.

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