Health officials are warning nearly 7,000 patients of local dental practices in Tulsa and Owasso, Oklahoma, about a possible exposure to HIV, Hepatitis B and C, according to an Oklahoma State Department of Health news release.
Nearly 7,000 patients who have visited either of the two dental practices in Oklahoma have been sent letters to the addresses in the database available from 2007 advising them to get a checkup done as a precautionary measure. The exposure to the blood borne viruses took place at Dr. W. Scott Harrington's dental practice in Tulsa and Owasso.
The Tulsa Health Department and the Oklahoma State Department of Health are closely working with the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry in an investigation that revealed that patients may have been exposed to the viruses due to the use of infectious materials. State Board of Dentistry found many such violations of health and safety laws. The investigation also highlighted contraventions in the State Dental Act. Further assistance by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration is in use regarding the drug practice on the site, according to the news release.
Harrington has submitted all his credentials including his license and has discontinued his practice after violations of major health and safety laws were encountered.
KOTV, local Tulsa Television station, listed 17 violations found in the dental practice a few are listed below:
"Patient testing positive for HIV and hepatitis C; the dental practice being unsafe, unsanitary and lacking of sterilization checks; committing gross negligence related to decisions related to the dental health care of patients; practicing dentistry without proper display of licenses and certifications; violation of provisions of the State Dental Act by failure to keep a suitable record of dangerous drugs; unlawful practices in authorizing dental assistants to practice dentistry; and having open vials or medication and unsanitary dental materials in an unclean environment."
David Derby (R-Owasso), Oklahoma State Rep. expressed his ire over the news. He noted that thousands of patients who visited the dentist just for a dental check up are now at a risk of lethal virus attack. "The allegations against this dentist are beyond the pale," he said.
Health Officials have advised that tests be taken as a precautionary step and all tests will be carried out at the Tulsa Health Department's North Regional Health and Wellness Center from March 30 10 a.m. - 2 to April 1 from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. All tests will be carried out free of charge.
Patients who may have attended the dental practice prior to 2007 were advised to call on the customer hotline number as the health officials had no data of those attendees.
