Some Beaufort Delta dental patients advised to get tested for HIV, hep B and C

Some N.W.T. residents who received dental care in several Beaufort Delta communities last spring are being advised to get tested for HIV, hepatitus B, and hepatitus C.

The territory's chief public health officer said in a news release on Tuesday that the recommendation is due to "an issue with prevention and control practices."

"Clients who accessed dental services ... may have undergone procedures during which equipment was not properly cleaned, disinfected and sterilized as per standard procedures," the release states.

It says the risk of exposure to infections is "very low," but that people should be tested for HIV, hep B and hep C if they received dental care in the following communities earlier this year:

The chief public health officer says any clients who received non-invasive dental services — for which no dental instruments were used — in those communities at those times is not considered to be at risk.

Public health is recommending other patients as a "proactive measure," the release states, and because the listed infections can be present without symptoms. People are advised to contact their local health centre for testing.

The chief public health officer has released no other details about what exactly happened at those dental facilities last spring. 

"There is an active investigation underway, and the integrity of the process must be respected," the release states.   

Earlier this year, CBC asked the territorial Department of Health and Social Services which dental clinics visited communities in 2024. 

The dates match with visits conducted by Western Arctic Dental Clinic, based in Inuvik.