UPDATE: Hundreds of patients are at risk of contracting blood borne diseases after being treated by a fake dentist in Meadow Heights.
Victoria’s acting chief health officer Dr Finn Romanes is urging anyone who was treated by alleged dentist Muhammet Velipasaoglu to contact the Department of Health and Human Services.
Dr Romaes says Mr Velipasaoglu has been practicing from his home in Rocklands Rise since 2003 despite not having the formal qualifications to do so in Australia.
“We are concerned that patients who received dental care from this individual at this premises may have contracted a blood borne infection as a result of poor infection control practices,” Dr Romanes said.
“While the risk of the transmission of any infection is regarded as low, we urge any patients to call the department for information and advice.”
Dr Romanes said there is a risk of transmission of several blood-borne viruses and singled out hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.
The practice was closed down on May 1 following an investigation by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), a government body charged with regulating health practitioners operating in Australia.
Charges have been laid against Mr Velipasaoglu for allegedly pretending to be a dentist and for performing dental acts that only a registered dentist may undertake.
The matter will be brought before the Magistrates Court in the next few weeks.
A tip-off from a dentist who was left to clean-up the work Mr Velipasaoglu had performed on a female patient led to AHPRA’s investigation.
AHPRA and Victoria Police executed a search warrant on the Rocklands Rise property and found dental equipment and evidence of inadequate infection control, poor hygiene and potential public health risks.
Mr Velipasaoglu had trained as a dentist in Turkey, but has never been registered in Australia in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme.
The Department of Health is appealing to anyone who received dental care at any location in Rocklands Rise, Meadow Heights to call the Department on 1800 356 061 between 8am and 7pm. The Department will assess the potential risk of transmission of infection and provide advice to patients and their general practitioners. This is a free call number and interpreter services will also be available.
