DAYTON, Ohio, March 2 (UPI) -- At least nine dental patients at the Dayton, Ohio, veterans hospital have tested positive for hepatitis, the Veterans Administration says.
The hospital has contacted 527 of 535 veterans seen by a dentist who failed to change gloves and sterilize instruments properly between patients, director Guy Richardson told the Dayton Daily News Tuesday.
Of the 375 patients tested preliminarily so far, seven were found positive for hepatitis C and two for hepatitis B. None had HIV, he said.
None of the veterans had previously been diagnosed with hepatitis, and further testing will be needed to confirm, said Dr. Andrea Buck, the VA's national director of medicine.
It may never be known if the infections were contracted at the Dayton VA dental clinic, she said. Epidemiological tests will take months.
Administrative actions were begun against the dentist, Dwight Pemberton, and two other staff. But Pemberton, who could have infected patients from 1992 through July 2010, retired Feb. 11 at age 81, so he no longer faces disciplinary action, Richardson said.
Richardson apologized to veterans and pledged the VA will provide free screenings and care to any who may have been exposed.
