Anaheim dental office ordered to stop using water for procedures after kids' infections

ANAHEIM, Calif. (KABC) -- Orange County health officials have ordered a children's dentist office in Anaheim to stop using the water at the facility for patient procedures after several kids got severe infections.

The order comes after the on-site water system at the Children's Dental Group of Anaheim tested positive for a mycobacterium that is similar to mycobacterium abscessus, which is being blamed for at least one infection as well as nine other pediatric patient cases.

The facility has been ordered to completely replace the on-site water system before the order can be lifted.

Earlier in the week, the Orange County Health Care Agency said at least eight children developed severe bacterial infections after receiving procedures at the dental office located at 2156 E. Lincoln Ave. Seven of the eight were hospitalized for treatment with antibiotics.

Mycobacterium abscessus is a bacteria that causes a slow progressing infection of the soft tissues or bone. The infection can take 15 to 85 days after the procedure to develop.

The health agency says the impacted children received a procedure similar to a root canal performed on baby teeth at the dental office between May 3 and Aug. 2.

Because the incubation period can take a long time and the practice did not stop performing the procedures until Sept. 6, the agency believes there may be more cases.

If you have questions or you believe you have a possible infection, you're urged to call the Orange County Health Care Agency Epidemiology Program at (714)834-8180.