Helpline opens after 'infected' dentist dies
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.ABOUT 120 people yesterday telephoned a helpline opened for thousands of patients of a London dentist who may have died of an Aids- related illness.
Camden and Islington Family Health Services Authority also announced it was holding an inquiry, following the death of the dentist last Monday.
Newspapers reported at the weekend that Vikram Advani was believed to be the first HIV-infected dentist in Britain to have died of an Aids-related illness, bronchopneumonia. His main practice was in Camden Road, north London, and he had a smaller practice for six months in Duke's Lane in Kensington. They both closed in 1991.
In a statement yesterday, the authority said: 'It has been suggested that a dentist who used to practice within the area covered by the Camden and Islington and Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster family health services authorities recently died from an Aids-related illness.
'Any individual, whether a health care worker or not, has a right to confidentiality. While the health authorities must respect this position, they are establishing the facts of the case in order to know what action, if any, is necessary for the well-being of the patients.'
The statement added that if there was a need for individual patients to be followed up as a precautionary measure, this would be done.
Dr Mark McCarthy, director of public health for Camden and Islington, said: 'The risk of transmission of the HIV virus from a health care worker to a patient during treatment is extremely remote.'
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments