A major public health scare was sparked yesterday after a dentist's flouting of hygiene standards prompted the recall of 22,000 patients feared to have been infected with viruses including HIV.

Health chiefs have launched a public appeal to trace every patient who has been treated by Desmond D'Mello, who allegedly ignored safety controls during his 32-year career including storing medical equipment in a toilet.

Mr D'Mello, who ran the Daybrook Dental Practice in Gedling, Nottinghamshire, was suspended in June after a whistleblower secretly filmed him allegedly breaching clinical standards.

His patients are urged to contact the authorities to be tested for blood-borne viruses.

NHS England said Mr D'Mello is not infected with any of the viruses himself. But they said his alleged failure to follow clinical standards, including stashing equipment in the toilet, may have put his patients at "low risk" of infection.

Health bosses apologised for the recall, which is believed to be the biggest in British history.