2 illegal dental practices raided in Vancouver

Weeks after a raid in August, another illegal dental practice has been shut down in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Thursday.

College of Dental Surgeons of British Columbia (CDSBC) authorities seized dental instruments, dental chairs, suction, computers, files, and boxes of supplies, according to a report by CTV News. The space was equipped to serve as a functional clinic and operatory.

Patients were entering the practice during the raid, which was prompted by a tip from a patient. The alleged unlicensed dentist has not been named.

The CDSBC does not suspect that the practice is related to another illegal practice in the city that was raided in August. David Wu, who was ordered not to practice dentistry by a 2003 court injunction, fled after the raid and was sentenced to three months in jail for contempt of court by the British Columbia Supreme Court this week.

The raid revealed outdated and unsanitary equipment in the bedroom clinic, according to an article by 24 Hours Vancouver. An examination of billing records suggests that some 1,500 people could be at risk of blood-borne viruses such as HIV and hepatitis B or C. The receipts, written in Chinese and going back 20 years, are currently being translated so that the patients can be informed of the risk.

Wu's level of training is unclear.

An unhappy patient tipped the CDSBC, and it hired a private eye to find the practice, which was supported by word-of-mouth referrals. Wu's daughter and tax service providers, Yu-Te Chang & Associates, have been served with notices.