If you visited this dentist in Washington between 2021 and 2022, get tested for HIV

A town in Washington state has been hit by an HIV scare over concerns about cleaning practices at a local dental clinic.

Patients of Dr. Sandy Montano were warned in a letter this week to get tested for the virus, as well as hepatitis B and C, due to possible exposure at the dentist.

After examining his Deer Park Central Clinic in Spokane County, home to about 550,000 people, health officials became concerned that “improper cleaning” could spread infections.

Although they called for testing, officials said the risk of infection was considered “low” and that no cases linked to the clinic had yet been reported.

Fear of HIV hit patients at Deer Park Dental Clinic in Spokane County, Washington

Dr. Sandy Montano is pictured above. His clinic has activated the health officials’ alert

HIV and hepatitis B and C are blood-borne infections. They can be passed from patient to patient when infected blood from one patient enters the bloodstream of another patient.

The warning letters were sent to everyone who was treated at the clinic between November 2021 and June 2022. However, it is not known how many people received a warning or how many patients the dentist had.

Investigations revealed that Dr. Montano sometimes did not wear gloves when working with patients, or wore dirty, damaged, or used gloves.

He is also said to have taken disposable towels and other items from the trash, soaking them in paint thinner before they could be reused.

Dr. Montano is also alleged to have employed a dental assistant who was not qualified to perform the required tasks and procedures.

He has denied the allegations and today described authorities’ warnings to locals as “unwarranted” to local reporters.

Dr. Montano was first investigated in November 2021 and had his license revoked in June 2022.

When the investigation concluded in April of this year, Dr. Montano’s license was revoked.

It appears the clinic is no longer open.

Officials sounded the alarm in their press release: “The potential infection control breaches were reported as a complaint and included improper cleaning and disinfection of reusable equipment and improper reuse of disposable equipment, which could have exposed patients to blood and other infectious materials.”

Dr. Montano criticized the research to local reporters on The Spokesman ReviewHe says the embezzlement stems from allegations by three former employees who he says embezzled money.

An estimated 14,000 people in Washington state have HIV, a number that increases by about 400 people each year. In Spokane County, more than 450 people are estimated to be infected, local officials said.

In many people infected with HIV, symptoms begin to appear within two to six weeks of infection. These symptoms resemble flu symptoms.

The symptoms can then disappear for years, increasing the risk that someone will unknowingly pass the virus on to others.

HIV used to mean a death sentence, but thanks to the advent of new drugs, people infected with the virus can now live healthy, normal lives.

Treatment consists of antiretroviral therapy (ART), which reduces the virus to undetectable levels. According to experts, this means that a person cannot pass the virus on to others.

Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus and spread through contact with infected blood or semen. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite. It is rarely fatal.

And hepatitis C is also a liver disease. It is spread by exposure to infected blood, body fluids or syringes and has similar symptoms.

The death rate is about 3.18 deaths per 100,000 people.