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Recall of patients treated by suspended dentist.

More than 400 people have visited a Nottinghamshire health centre for screening for blood-borne viruses after the suspension of a dentist by the General Dental Council.

A total of 22,000 former patients of dentist Desmond D’Mello have been recalled amid serious concerns about hygiene standards at his surgery, which is now under new ownership and has been refurbished.

Former patients of the’ dirty dentist’ are being offered tests for conditions including HIV and hepatitis.

Medical director for NHS England in Nottinghamshire, Doug Black, said that contacting 22,000 former patients of Mr D’Mello for tests was the "largest recall in NHS history.”

Meanwhile police are continuing to investigate the death of Leeds University graduate, Amy Duffield, from viral acute myocarditis after suffering palpitations in August 2013, shortly after being treated at Desmond D’Mello’s practice.

NHS England said it appeared Mr D'Mello failed to wash his hands and used the same instruments for more than one patient without sterilising them between appointments.

Even so, experts have said that the risk of infection was believed to be low and Mr D'Mello had been tested and was clear of all diseases.

A Care Quality Commission inspection in July also raised concerns about the possibility of cross-contamination at the practice.

However, inspectors who had visited the clinic in November last year, gave it a clean bill of health.

The new owners of the practice have renovated the property and addressed all the concerns, the inspectors said.