HIV and hepatitis B: following dental care in Lyon, thousands of patients invited to be tested

The HCL (Hospices Civils de Lyon) wrote to 5,000 patients asking them to come and get tested for HIV and hepatitis B free of charge. Following dental treatment, they could have been exposed to a risk of infection.

The Hospices Civils de Lyon indicate that they have sent a letter to 5,000 patients offering them free support for HIV and hepatitis B screening tests, confirming information progress. A problem of sterilization of apparatus used for dental care would be at the origin of a “potential risk of patient contamination“. The HCL specify that the tips of the instruments were well sterilized. But, that the part “carrying the instrument was only disinfected“.

In a report produced in 2019 Public Health France had already launched a study following shortcomings in certain dental offices, shortcomings linked to non-compliance with recommendations for sterilization of instruments. The PIRs (for rotary instrument holders) are obviously not all cleaned as they should be. However, the study was intended to be reassuring: “the risk of exposure in this type of situation is 1/420 million for HIV and 1/516,000 for hepatitis B“.

The working group then recommended “strict compliance with standard precautions and good sterilization practices in odontostomatology as well as the strengthening of hygiene training for dental surgery professionals“.

In the name of the precautionary principle, we have carried out an extensive screening campaign, but the risks are low

A manager of the HCL communication department

These people were treated between May and December 2022, but the information has only come in now. The dental care center is located in the 7th arrondissement of Lyon. He welcomes patients for dental emergencies and offers care. It welcomes between 10,000 and 15,000 people every year.

The service also trains about a hundred students per year for the profession of dental surgeon, from the fourth to the sixth year of dental studies.

The ARS (Regional Health Agency), confirms having been informed. “The problem has been identified, it is an adverse event, an action plan has been put in place“according to the agency that ensures the proper implementation of this plan.

The HCL communication department adds that a dedicated call center has been opened “to individually answer any questions patients may have“.

Screenings have started recently and it is too early to report on the results. But the HCLs say “that to date, no patient has tested positive“.