We always knew that it was set to be a significant task tracking down all of the former patients of disgraced Nottinghamshire dentist Mr Desmond D’Mello. We’re aware that records were apparently being kept in toilets with dentistry equipment, and there are real concerns over the scale of the task in tracking down former patients as part of the recall.
Media sources report that the recall is now widening in efforts to track down the 22,000 patients that may have been affected.
Reports from the BBC have confirmed that 4,000 people have been tested at a cost if £500,000 so far. Letters are no longer being sent to patients because it would cost an estimated £300,000 to send them to all 22,000 former patients being recalled. But the NHS are stepping up efforts to reach out to people through the media as the most cost effective way of widening the recall.
Patient data is apparently not owned by the NHS which has only served to increase the difficulty in reaching them all. Concerns over accuracy of patient records, given the known issues relating to the Daybrook’s far from robust record and filing systems, remain at large.
Our specialist Daybrook Dental Negligence Team are leading the fight for the former patients who want justice after being exposed to serious blood-borne infections like HIV and Hepatitis.
Our team has gained a valuable insight in to what it was like as a patient of the media dubbed ‘dirty dentist’ as hundreds of our clients have come forward and offered information. We’re hearing the same things time and time again about how rushed and busy the practice was, and how D’Mello would regularly be seen running up and down corridors rushing around whilst wearing gloves it is feared he hadn’t changed between patients.
It seems he simply didn’t have the time to adhere to important infection control procedures, and would rather see higher volumes of people and put them at risk instead of doing his job properly and taking the necessary time he needed.
Former patients who want to seek justice are being urged to contact our Daybrook Dental Team on 0800 634 7575 for advice and help. We’re leading the way in the fight for justice, and our unique experience as specialist injury lawyers with expertise in large group action cases puts us in the right place to be able to help you.