Another Dental Patient Tests Positive For Hepatitis C As Testing Continues

Officials have tested 4,011 people so far. There have been 71 confirmed cases of hepatitis C, five for hepatitis B and three for HIV.

Thursday, May 30th 2013, 11:57 am

By: News On 6

Another Dental Patient Tests Positive For Hepatitis C As Testing Continues

One more case of hepatitis C has been confirmed as the investigation into a Tulsa dentist's alleged unsanitary practices continues.

Dr. W. Scott Harrington, who had offices in Tulsa and Owasso, may have exposed as many as 7,000 patients to hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV since 2007, Tulsa County Health Department officials said in March.

State and county health department officials have tested 4,011 people so far. There have been 71 confirmed cases of hepatitis C, five for hepatitis B and three for HIV.

Each positive case will be investigated to determine whether the individuals contracted the disease from the dental office.

Harrington treated many patients who were diagnosed with hepatitis or HIV, and he allegedly violated sanitation laws among others, according to Susan Rogers, the executive director of the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry.

The health department set up free testing locations to handle the thousands of Harrington's patients, and it has been urging those who have been treated by the dentist to be tested for blood-borne diseases.

In the Tulsa-metro area, screening continues weekdays at the North Regional Health and Wellness Center, 5635 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Patients are advised to call the North Regional Health and Wellness Center directly at 918-595-4380 to schedule an appointment.

Anyone who was a patient at Harrington's dental practice should contact the patient information hotline at 918-595-4500 with any questions. English- and Spanish-speaking public health representatives will be available during normal business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday- Friday.

Read The Oklahoma Board Of Dentistry's Complaint Against Dr. Harrington