Legal Radar

A Cairns dentist and his practice have been hit with fines totalling $150,000 after failing to meet basic infection-control standards.

The clinic’s steriliser broke down. Instead of repairing or replacing it immediately, staff resorted to manual sterilisation methods—a dangerous shortcut made worse by the fact that many staff members were not properly trained in infection control.

Over time, dental tools and instruments were used on patients without adequate sterilisation, potentially exposing them to serious blood-borne illnesses such as HIV and hepatitis C.

The Fallout

• In 2019, Queensland Health shut down the clinic after the breaches were uncovered.

• About 700 patients were contacted and offered free screening for HIV, hepatitis B and C, and other blood-borne diseases.

• Fortunately, no infections were directly linked to the clinic’s practices.

The Court’s Decision

• The dentist was personally fined $50,000.

• His practice was fined $100,000.

• He has since been deregistered as a practising dentist.

• In court, he admitted guilt and expressed “embarrassment and remorse” through his lawyer.

Why It Matters (Key Takeaways)

This case is a stark reminder of how vital infection control is in healthcare settings. 

Sterilisation of instruments isn’t just a formality—it’s a life-saving standard designed to protect patients from devastating consequences.

Authorities said the heavy fines were intended to send a clear message: cutting corners on infection control will not be tolerated.