Grand Erie Public Health (GEPH) in southern Ontario is urging former patients of Dr. George Chan Dentistry to undergo testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. Records from GEPH, obtained through a freedom-of-information request by CBC News, reveal that 884 patients at the Brantford clinic were advised to get tested due to lapses in equipment sterilization. However, only approximately half of the individuals who visited the clinic between November 3, 2021, and November 3, 2025, have completed the recommended testing.
Dr. George Chan’s clinic, located at 353 St. Paul Ave, was closed down on November 3. Chan’s resignation from the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) became effective on July 2, rendering him ineligible to practice dentistry in Ontario.
Lyn Portelli, a former receptionist at the clinic, disclosed that she lodged a complaint with GEPH on October 29, 2025, after investigating a patient room on October 28 while still employed there. This led to an investigation by GEPH’s Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) team, which identified 15 lapses in the disinfection and sterilization of reusable instruments at Chan’s clinic.
In mid-March, former patients started receiving letters from GEPH dated February 26, 2026, prompting them to undergo testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. GEPH emphasizes on its website that no confirmed cases of blood-borne infections linked to the dental clinic have been reported.
While the infection rate remains low, GEPH emphasizes the importance of screening as part of the ongoing investigation. The health unit encourages former patients to undergo testing not just for their own health awareness but to aid in gathering crucial information for potential public health recommendations.
Patients who visited the Chan clinic between November 3, 2021, and November 3, 2025, are advised to consult their primary-care providers or visit a walk-in clinic for testing. Those without a primary-care provider can seek care at the Primary Care Access Clinic or schedule an appointment with the Virtual Urgent Care Clinic.
CBC News inquired about the delay in notifying patients until March despite the investigation occurring in November. GEPH explained that patients were informed after a meticulous investigative process to ensure evidence-based, legally sound decisions that safeguard public health.