A DENTIST suspended for potentially exposing thousands of people to HIV and hepatitis has admitted he was “behind the times” in hygiene standards.

NSW Health has suspended six Sydney dentists and cautioned another six over poor sterilisation practices that may have exposed more than 11,000 dental patients to HIV and hepatitis over the past 10 years.

Dr Robert Starkenburg’s practices in Surry Hills and Bondi and The Gentle Dentist, owned by Dr Samson Chan, in Campsie and Sussex St, are believed to have potentially exposed some patients to serious diseases — including hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV — due to poorly cleaned equipment.

media_camera Dr Robert Starkenburg — who practices in Bondi Junction and Surry Hills — has been suspended over alleged poor hygiene standards. Picture: Craig Greenhill

Dr Starkenburg, 75, is one of six dentists suspended over poor hygiene control and is listed by ACON as providing “HIV-friendly” bulk-billed dental work.

He said he had been an “old duffer” when it came to sterilisation standards.

But since being investigated by NSW Health he said he had spent $3000 on education courses.

“I fully agree I have to step up to 2015 standards and take on the new protocol,” he told the Daily Telegraph.

“I don’t infect my patients but I didn’t have a spick and span office like the new guys. But I’m spicko now.”

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He accused NSW Health of holding a “kangaroo court” against him.

“This is an exercise of NSW Health flexing its muscles and showing it can kick arse,” Dr Starkenburg said.

“(But) I’m a picture of health and so are my patients.

“I was behind the times, I’ve caught up now.”

media_camera The Gentle Dentist in Campsie. Picture: Facebook

At a press conference this morning, NSW Health director of health protection Jeremy McAnulty said all patients who had visited the dental surgeries were urged to visit their GP to be tested for HIV as well as Hepatitis A, B and C as a precaution.

Have you been a patient at any of these dental practices? Email carleen.frost@news.com.au

But he said the risk of transmission was low and that no cases had been reported thus far.

“It’s believed there is a low risk of transmission of infectious diseases in these circumstances,” he said.

“We have no evidence of infection at this point or if any transmission has occurred.”

type_quote_start “We are hopeful that there will be no transmissions but there will be a risk.” type_quote_end

Dr McAnulty said the main concern was for patients who had undergone invasive procedures.

Problems uncovered at the practices involved: “the cleaning of instruments, the knowledge of the practitioners and the recording of the results of the sterilising equipment,” he said.

“We are hopeful that there will be no transmissions but there will be a risk.”

WHAT TO DO Patients who have had an invasive procedure at either of The Gentle Dentist practices during the last ten years​ or any procedure at Dr Robert Starkenburg's practices are recommended to have testing for blood borne virus infections. Your doctor can organise blood tests for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV infection and results should be available within seven to 10 days. For further information call the NSW Health information line on 1800 610 344.

Dr Starkenburg has been suspended from practising, along with four dentists from The Gentle Dentist clinic. Another three dentists from that clinic have had conditions placed on their registrations.

NSW Health is also trying to contact patients from the clinics to inform them of the potential risk of exposure.

The Daily Telegraph contacted The Gentle Dentist last night in an attempt to speak to owner Dr Chan about the health scare, but they did not return calls.

For further information contact the NSW Health information line on 1800 610 344.