New Zealand / Health

Half the children hit by dental health scare get all clear

16:37 pm on 8 February 2017

About half of the 2500 children at the centre of a dental health scare have been tested for infection, with no positive results reported so far.

Photo: RNZ / Sally Murphy

The children have been tested for HIV and Hepatitis B and C, after getting treatment from faulty equipment at Pukekohe Intermediate dental clinic.

It was found a hose used to suck out saliva and blood from children's mouths was connected to one that blows in air.

The Counties Manukau District Health Board said it had told parents of 1139 children their tests were clear.

It said no cases of infection were identified so far, with the results confirming initial advice that the risk to the children was extremely low.