Residents who received dental care in some Beaufort Delta communities earlier this year may have been exposed to infection, the NWT’s chief public health officer says.
In a Tuesday news release, Dr Kami Kandola said people who had dental work in Aklavik, Fort McPherson, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour and Ulukhaktok on some dates between March and April may have undergone procedures during which equipment was not properly cleaned, disinfected and sterilized.
The affected sites and times are:
- Susie Husky Health and Social Services Centre in Aklavik from April 23 to 29;
- Fort McPherson health services from April 15 to 22;
- Sadie Sukayaaluk Ruben Health and Social Service Centre in Paulatuk from April 2 to 14;
- Sachs Harbour’s health centre from March 21 to 24; and
- Emegak Health and Social Services Centre in Ulukhaktok from March 27 to April 1.
Kandola said while the risk of exposure to infection was “very low,” she said anyone who received treatment at those locations during those times should get tested for Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B and Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV.
She said people should contact their local health centre to arrange for testing.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
Kandola said people who received non-invasive dental services – in other words, treatment in which no dental instruments were used – are not considered at risk of infection.
“No further details will be provided at this time, as there is an active investigation under way and the integrity of the process must be respected,” Kandola stated.
