Three properties at Roxburgh Park and Meadows Heights have been raided over alleged unregistered and substandard dentistry practices.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) executed a search warrant at a house in Yaralla Court, Meadow Heights, on June 13 and found evidence that illegal dental treatment had been offered.
The inspection found evidence of poor hygiene practices, inadequate infection control and substandard care.
Two more search warrants were carried out five days later at Bicentennial Crescent, Meadow Heights, and Preston Avenue, Roxburgh Park, after a tip-off that dental work had also been carried out at these premises by unregistered dentists.
Charges are yet to be laid, but the AHPRA immediately passed on its concerns to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), which has since issued an urgent warning about the dangers of being treated by unregistered dentists.
Victoria’s acting chief health officer, Finn Romanes, said he was concerned more patients were at risk of contracting a blood-borne virus because of poor infection control practices.
“It is important that anyone who received treatment from any unregistered individual has their teeth examined by a registered dentist so that any oral health issues can be identified,” Dr Romanes said.
The inspections closely follow a raid on a Meadow Heights address, where Muhammet Velipasaoglu was allegedly performing dental work without being registered.
Charges were laid against Velipasaoglu for offences including pretending to be a dentist, using a protected title, carrying out ‘restricted dental acts’ that, by law, can only be provided by registered dental practitioners, and for possession of prescription-only medicine.
Velipasaoglu will front the Broadmeadows Magistrates Court on August 14.
An AHPRA spokeswoman said Velipasaoglu was registered as a dentist in Turkey, but it was not clear whether he practised there.
After his case was made public on June 10, 85 people called the DHHS hotline seeking advice.
DHHS is urging anyone who received dental treatment at Yaralla Court, Bicentennial Crescent at Meadow Heights or Preston Avenue, Roxburgh Park, to call 1800 356 061.
