A judge has given permission for a proposed lawsuit against a Guelph dental practice to be certified as a class action lawsuit.
The lawsuit is in relation to a 2017 incident where patients of Guelph Dental Associates were advised to get tested for HIV and hepatitis.
In June, 2017, Guelph Dental Associates closed for several weeks after Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health found several public health infractions at the Eramosa Road location related to improper sterilization and disinfection of medical devices.
Public Health sent out 3,600 letters to families that had patients at the clinic over a 27-month period, telling them to get tested for HIV and hepatitis, even though there was a “very low” risk of infection.
When the clinic reopened they said they had taken several steps to address the issue.
Kimberley Lowe, on behalf of her two daughters, is named as the plaintiff in the action. She asked the court to certify the lawsuit as a class action suit, which the judge did.
The plaintiffs move for certification is for “settlement purposes,” said the written ruling.
Named as defendants are Dr. Meikle Dentistry Professional Corporation, Dr. Katherine Zettle, Dr. Kanisha Campbell, Dr. Ladan Mansouri and Dr. Andrew Meikle.
The action was started in July, 2017.
“The Plaintiffs allege that the Defendants were negligent in providing dental service at the dental clinic known as “Guelph Dental Associates” and exposed their patients to certain communicable diseases,” says the ruling by superior court justice Paul Perell.
The class action would be open to anyone that received dental care and services at Guelph Dental Associates between Jan. 21, 2015 and June 21, 2017.
