Posted Sept. 20, 2024. Past health advisories and alerts are archived for historical purposes and are not maintained or updated.
The Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) and the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Section recommends bloodborne pathogens (BBP) testing for patients who received care from Sandy Fletcher Montano, DDS, at the Deer Park Dental Clinic (118 E Crawford, Deer Park, WA 99006) during the time period between November 2021 to June 2022. Patients should contact their personal healthcare providers to arrange for testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. Many urgent cares can also provide these tests.
DOH was notified of potential infection control allegations that may impact the health of patients at the Deer Park Dental Clinic in November 2021. DOH suspended the license of Sandy Fletcher Montano, DDS, in June 2022, and indefinitely suspended his license in April 2024.
DOH has no record of other complaints related to infection control practices by Montano prior to November 2021. Patients who received dental care from Montano at Deer Park Dental Clinic or at dental clinics where Montano previously practiced before November 2021 should talk to their own healthcare provider about potential risks and decide whether to seek testing.
The potential infection control breaches were reported as a complaint and included improper cleaning and disinfection of reusable equipment, and improper reuse of disposable equipment which could expose patients to blood and other infectious material. While no disease transmission has been identified at this time, if these practices occurred at the clinic, it is possible that they may have exposed patients to bloodborne pathogens (hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV). The risk of contracting a disease is believed to be low.
SRHD and DOH are unable to notify impacted patients individually due to Montano’s non-compliance with the investigation. Additional details are available in the Q&A.
Patients who seek testing related to this potential bloodborne pathogen exposure should be tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. Please provide the following:
