Around 22,000 UK dental patients in Nottinghamshire of England are being recalled over risk of blood borne viruses, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV, following apparent breaches of infection control procedures by a single dentist.
NHS England noted that the people may have been at risk, treated by the dentist Desmond D’Mello, who did not follow proper procedures over a 32-year period at the former Daybrook Dental Practice, in Gedling, Nottinghamshire.
NHS England has been working with Public Health England to investigate the issue.
NHS England was contacted by a whistleblower, who had concerns about the standards of clinical care being provided by the dentist to patients, in June 2014.
The whistleblower submitted supporting evidence, including covertly-filmed footage of dentist D’Mello to NHS England.
NHS England ordered an interim suspension of D’Mello, after reviewing the evidence, and commenced an investigation into clinical practices at the dental surgery.
NHS England Nottinghamshire medical director Dr Doug Black said: "Our investigation demonstrates that acceptable infection control standards do not appear to have been followed by Mr D’Mello whilst he was treating patients at the former Daybrook Dental Practice.
"However, this alleged drop in clinical standards may have put people at a low risk of infection from hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.
"Therefore, as a precautionary measure, we are advising all patients who have seen Mr D’Mello to seek further advice on what action they may need to take."