Dentist Puts Patients At HIV Risk From Reused Syringes

Dentist Put Thousands At HIV Risk

A Colorado dentist may have exposed thousands of his patients to HIV and hepatitis infection from reusing syringes, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Following a report of unsafe injection practices, the department investigated Denver-area oral surgeon Dr. Stephen Stein and it was determined that syringes and needles used to inject medications through patients’ IV lines were saved and used again to inject medications through other patients’ IV lines.

"This practice has been shown to transmit infections," the department said. It added that there had been no confirmed cases of anyone contracting the viral infections through Stein's two clinic locations in Highlands Ranch or Denver's Cherry Creek area called Stein Oral and Facial Surgery.

The state's department of public health has sent out letters to 8,000 patients of Dr. Stein on Friday, urging them to seek tests for disease if they received intravenous (IV) medications, including sedation, under Stein’s care from September 1999 through June 2011.

For more information, the department has asked for people to call the Colorado Help Line at 1-877-462-2911 or visit Colorado Department of Public Health.