in dental tools for some time.

And measures were taken before last week's announcement from the University of Georgia, following the case of a Florida dentist transmitting the virus to five patients.

Health Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness said that over the past year Dr. Mark Coulby has been helping to upgrade all professional standards especially those concerning sterilisation of instruments.

Mr. Edness said: "I am pleased that we were on the ball with our concerns on the potential of infectious diseases nesting in dental instruments and so forth.

"We have introduced much more updated standards and, in particular, we are making sure that everybody complies with the standards.

"I have no fear because generally speaking the dental community in Bermuda is a very responsible one and I am sure everyone will do everything they can to stop this type of problem.'' Shadow Minister for Health Mr. Nelson Bascome had raised the subject in the House of Assembly after reading of infections in dental tools in The Royal Gazette .

Mr. Bascome said that the did not want people in Bermuda neglecting their dental health because of fears that they might catch AIDS.