Children's Dental Group in Anaheim re-opens after a bacterial outbreak

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The Anaheim dental clinic that was closed due to multiple bacterial infections is set to reopen today. 

The Children's Dental Group was shut down last September after tests showed bacteria was found within the office's water system, despite it having been recently replaced. The clinic was shut down a second time in mid-December after similar issues were discovered. 

Dozens of children have been affected by the outbreak. 

At least 22 cases have been confirmed by the Orange County Health Care Agency, with another 46 listed as probable. Children ranging in ages from 2 to 11 years old had been affected and all of the children had been hospitalized at some point. 

"The health and well-being of our patients remain our top priorities,''  said Dr. Jerry Minsky, the Children's Dental Group's chief dental officer.  ``As always, we will provide them with high quality care in a comfortable,  safe, child-friendly environment, and do all that we can to ensure their wellness.''

After multiple evaluations from regulatory agencies, the clinic has met "all the conditions of the Orange County Health Care Agency's December 2016 order..." according to a statement posted on the clinic's website. 

The clinic underwent multiple evaluations from regulatory agencies and has "extraordinary infection control, sterilization, and safety practices - well beyond those required by dental industry standards" Minsky said. 

Sixteen lawsuits have been filed against the clinic, but it's expected that the number may increase to as many as 100 based on the amount of claims filed so far. Legal claims with government agencies are required to file a lawsuit. 

It's possible that there may be a move to combine all the cases into one, much like a class-action lawsuit according to Ed Susolik, an attorney who represents one of the children who were affected by an infection.


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