Public Health Warning Issued After Poor Hygiene Standards Found at Strathfield Dental Clinic

May 13, 2026, 09:19
AustraliaHealth

Introduction

NSW Health has advised former patients of a retired Sydney dentist to get tested for blood-borne viruses because of failures in infection control.

Main Body

This public health warning follows an audit by the Dental Council of NSW at the clinic of Dr. William Tam in Strathfield. The inspection started after a complaint about poor patient records and inadequate hygiene measures. As a result, Dr. Tam has retired and is no longer a registered dentist. One major problem is that the clinic did not keep complete patient lists. Dr. Leena Gupta, Clinical Director of Public Health, explained that although the dentist may have treated up to 5,000 people over twenty-five years, the lack of records means the health department cannot contact these patients directly. Medical experts stated that the risk of catching HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C is low. However, because these viruses can develop without showing symptoms for many years, proactive testing is necessary. The health department emphasized that early detection is essential for effective treatment. Former patients are encouraged to visit a general practitioner or use Healthdirect for testing and advice.

Conclusion

Health authorities are still searching for former patients of Dr. William Tam to encourage them to take precautionary blood tests.

Learning

⚑ The Power of "Causality" (Moving from A2 to B2)

At the A2 level, you usually say: "The records were bad, so they cannot find patients." To reach B2, you need to connect ideas using Formal Cause and Effect. This makes your English sound professional and academic.

🧩 The B2 Upgrade: "Because of" vs. "As a result"

Look at these two snippets from the text:

  1. "...because of failures in infection control."
  2. "As a result, Dr. Tam has retired..."

The Secret:

  • Because of + [Noun/Phrase] β†’\rightarrow This explains the reason immediately. It doesn't need a full sentence after it.

    • A2: Because the clinic was dirty... (Sentence)
    • B2: Because of the poor hygiene... (Noun phrase)

  • As a result + [Comma] + [Full Sentence] β†’\rightarrow This is used to start a new sentence to show the consequence of everything mentioned before.

    • Example: The doctor lost the files. As a result, the health department is worried.

πŸš€ Vocabulary Shift: "Precision Words"

Stop using "big" or "bad." Use these B2-level descriptors found in the article to be more specific:

A2 Word (Simple)B2 Upgrade (Precise)Context from Text
Not enoughInadequate...inadequate hygiene measures.
ImportantEssential...early detection is essential.
Before/SafePrecautionary...take precautionary blood tests.

Pro Tip: When you describe a problem, don't say it is "bad." Call it inadequate. It immediately signals to the listener that you have a higher level of English.

Vocabulary Learning

audit (n.)
a formal examination or inspection of records, especially financial or administrative ones
Example:The audit revealed several discrepancies in the clinic's financial statements.
inspection (n.)
a careful examination or review of something to ensure standards are met
Example:The inspection of the dental clinic found several hygiene violations.
complaint (n.)
an expression of dissatisfaction or a formal objection
Example:She filed a complaint about the poor patient records.
inadequate (adj.)
not sufficient or not good enough to meet required standards
Example:The inadequate hygiene measures led to the clinic's closure.
registered (adj.)
officially recorded or listed as qualified or licensed
Example:He is a registered dentist in the state of NSW.
proactive (adj.)
taking action in advance to prevent problems or address issues early
Example:Proactive testing can catch infections before symptoms appear.
precautionary (adj.)
intended to prevent or reduce risk before it occurs
Example:The precautionary blood tests were recommended for all former patients.
directly (adv.)
without intermediaries, delay, or detours
Example:The health department cannot contact these patients directly.
symptoms (n.)
indications or signs of a disease or condition
Example:Many viruses can develop without showing symptoms for years.
detection (n.)
the act of discovering or identifying something, often early
Example:Early detection of infections improves treatment outcomes.