Sydney dentist William Tam’s poor infection control exposes patients to bloodborne viruses risk
Consensus Summary
Health authorities in New South Wales have issued an urgent warning advising thousands of former patients of retired dentist Dr. William Tam to test for bloodborne viruses, including HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Dr. Tam practiced at Suite B, 2 Albert Road, Strathfield, for 25 years before retiring in early 2026 after an audit revealed poor infection control practices and inadequate patient record-keeping. While the risk of transmission is described as low, authorities emphasize the importance of precautionary testing due to the potential for serious long-term health impacts, as symptoms may not appear for decades. Despite efforts to contact patients, the lack of records has made it difficult to identify those who may have been exposed. Former patients are encouraged to consult their GP, visit the NSW Health website, or call Healthdirect for further guidance. No confirmed cases of infection linked to Dr. Tam’s practice have been reported.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Dr. William Tam, a retired dentist who practiced at Suite B, 2 Albert Road, Strathfield, Sydney’s inner west, for 25 years, is linked to potential exposure of patients to HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C due to poor infection control practices.
- The Dental Council of NSW identified concerns about Dr. Tam’s infection control practices and patient record-keeping during a recent audit.
- NSW Health advises all former patients of Dr. Tam to test for bloodborne viruses (HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C) as a precaution, despite the risk being described as low.
- Dr. Leena Gupta, clinical director of public health at Sydney Local Health District, stated that thousands of people may have been treated by Dr. Tam, but poor record-keeping prevents authorities from contacting them.
- Dr. Tam retired and was deregistered as a dentist two weeks after the inspection, which took place on April 24, 2026.
- No cases of bloodborne viruses linked to Dr. Tam’s practice have been detected.
- Patients who underwent invasive dental procedures (e.g., instruments piercing skin or gum) may be at slightly higher risk, but overall risk remains low.
- Former patients are urged to contact their GP, NSW Health website, or Healthdirect (1800 022 222) for testing and advice.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The ABC contacted Dr. Tam, but he declined to comment.
- The article mentions 'Thousand of patients' (plural) without specifying an exact number, while other sources provide a range (up to 5000).
- Includes a specific mention of the Mental Health Line (1800 011 511) for distressed individuals.
- Specifies 'up to 5000 patients' may have been exposed, with a focus on invasive procedures increasing risk slightly.
- The inspection was conducted on April 24, 2026, following a complaint to the Dental Council of NSW.
- Provides a detailed explanation of how bloodborne viruses spread (e.g., contaminated needles, splashes of blood/saliva).
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The ABC and NEWSCOMAU do not specify a number of patients, while SMH states 'up to 5000 patients' may have been exposed.
- SMH and GUARDIAN state no cases of bloodborne viruses have been detected, but other sources do not explicitly mention this.
Source Articles
Patients of retired Sydney dentist advised to test for bloodborne viruses
Retired dentist William Tam may have exposed his patients to hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV at his clinic, according to NSW Health.
Urgent health warning after dentist audit
Thousands of patients at a Sydney dental practice are being warned they may have been exposed to blood-borne viruses, after a routine audit exposed infection control concerns.
Thousands of patients of Sydney dentist urged to get tested for blood-borne viruses
Up to 5000 patients of a Sydney dentist may have been exposed to blood-borne viruses over more than 25 years, but a lack of patient records means health authorities are struggling to find and alert them.
Health alert issued urging thousands of patients of retired Sydney dentist to get tested for HIV and hepatitis
Health official says thousands of people may be affected due to ‘poor infection control practices’ at Strathfield clinic Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Patients of a retired Sydney dentist who practised for more than 25 years have been urged to get tested for blood-borne viruses. Blood-borne viruses spread when infected blood or other bodily fluids are passed from one person to another, including through contami