Dentistry- NEWS

07.07.11

NSW: Negligent dentist ordered to pay $1.3 million

A DENTIST who was ordered to pay more than $1.3 million for damage he caused to a patient's mouth is continuing to practise in NSW, despite his own lawyers calling him negligent and incompetent. Dr Mark Phung removed the nerves from every one of his patient's teeth, despite only three of them requiring surgery. Over 18 months and 53 consultations he installed 28 crowns, all of which need to be replaced. The court accepted that the crowns and bridges were so poorly constructed that they trapped food and caused mouth infections. Every one of the procedures Dr Phung performed would require redoing, the court heard. The patient, Todd Dean, would require 50 consultations to have them repaired.

Source: SMH online 07.07.11.

26.08.06

Queensland HIV results to remain secret

Whether a HIV-infected dentist transmitted the virus to any of her patients in north Queensland will never be publicly known, Queensland Health says. (SMH/AAP, 25 August 2006)

25.08.06

Patients face pain of waiting for HIV results

IT will be an anxious 48 hours for Maureen Franz and James Ayles as the Bowen couple wait to find out whether they or their two kids are HIV-positive.

The couple are among 600 residents of the north Queensland coastal town who yesterday began having blood tests after the area's only public dentist found out she had the AIDS virus.

A 1-800 number had been set up to handle questions from concerned former patients of the dentist. Testing at Bowen continued until 8pm last night. (Australian, 25 August 2006)

24.08.06

HIV dentist sparks patient screening
Up to 500 people are facing an anxious wait after the revelation a dentist in the north Queensland town of Bowen has tested positive to HIV. (The Age/AAP, 23 August 2006)
[Queensland Health Media Release (PDF)]

Dentist's AIDS sparks alert
School children are among the 500 Queenslanders who will be asked to take HIV tests after a female dentist this week informed health authorities she had the AIDS virus. (Australian, 24 August 2006)

HIV test alarm
Up to 500 people are to be tested for HIV after a female dentist working for Queensland Health tested positive for the virus. (Courier-Mail, 24 August 2006)