Six dentists in Sydney were suspended for potentially exposing 12,000 customers to hepatitis and HIV due to poor sterilization method.

On Wednesday, NSW Health has been trying to reach the numerous patients who visited the four dental clinics, The Gentle Dentist in Campsie, Sussex St in Sydney ,Surry Hills and Bondi Junction operated by Dr. Robert Starkenburg, for they fear that patients who underwent invasive procedures with the said clinics might have been infected with HIV and hepatitis due to poor of sterilization of equipment. And they strongly recommend to have these people tested.

On Thursday, it was announced that Dr. Samson Chan, who is the operator of The Gentle Dentist including four of his staff and Dr. Starkenburg have all been suspended.

Dr. Jeremy McAnulty, the NSW Director of Health Protection told the reporters, "There is an array of problems, including the cleaning of instruments, functioning of sterilizers, the knowledge of the practitioners and recording of the results of the sterilizing equipment."

On the other hand, NSW Health assures the public that it is safe to visit dentists for dental care, for most dentists are equipped with the proper guidelines and all of the practitioners should abide with standard procedure.  

"I want to assure the public that there are stringent guidelines in place in relation to infection control, that dental practitioners must adhere to," according to Dr. Shane Fryer NSW's Dental Council.

Based on the result of the examination of NSW Health, so far, there is no sign of transmission. But authorities are writing to those possible infected patients.

The surgeriesremain open, but authorities will continue to monitor the facilities for public safety, this according to Dr.Fryer.

Authorities are urging people with concern about their current dentist or if they think they are at risk of contracting blood borne diseases to contact the NSW Health for assistance.