We’ve already started taking on compensation claims for those affected by the Daybrook Dental Practice scandal after sources from the NHS revealed that a whistleblower had uncovered potentially years of poor infection control procedures concerning patients.
Mr D’Mello practised at the Daybrook Dental Practice in Arnold, Nottinghamshire, for a considerable period of time – it is thought that more than 22,000 patients may have been risked to exposure of serious infections like HIV and Hepatitis for more than 32 years.
A community centre drop in clinic has been set up for advice and testing at the Arnold Health Centre, and victims are encouraged to make contact for help and advice as soon as possible.
The latest news surrounding the scandal is that Mr D’Mello has now instructed lawyers and is refusing to cooperate with the NHS investigation; dispute requests to do so, and despite him initially agreeing to cooperate. It has also emerged that he was investigated following a complaint in 2009, and police are now probing in to the death of former patient Amy Duffield who passed away from an infection just ten days after seeing him. She was 23 when tragically died.
Mr D’Mello was secretly filmed by a whistleblower ignoring important infection control procedures by reusing equipment that was not properly sterilised, reusing gloves, and not washing his hands between patients. Around 166 patients were filmed in the move that initiated a 22,000 patient recall; the scale of which has never been seen before in the UK before.
News sources say that Mr D’Mello lived a life of luxury and was well known, well liked, and well respected in his local community. Since leaving the Daybrook practice in June, rumours that he had been suspended were circulated but never confirmed. Since the story has broken out, the community has been shaken to its core at the news of the well respected dentist who has so carelessly put people’s lives and health at stake.
Hundreds have come forward and thousands have contacted the NHS for advice since the investigation was revealed. It is not yet known whether anyone has contracted a serious blood-borne infection like HIV or Hepatitis B and C, as testing and investigation continues.
An inquest may be heard in to the death of the patient who died after seeing him since news of the story has broken out.