Hundreds Of Dental Patients Line Up To Be Tested For HIV, Hepatitis

Hundreds of Green Country dental patients are waiting for word after being tested for HIV and hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

Thousands of others also could have been exposed to the diseases through unsanitary practices at the dentist.

Than 400 people battled long lines on Saturday to find out if they were infected.

"I was shocked," said William Clark, a former patient of Dr. W. Scott Harrington. "I first heard it on the news, on TV and when they first showed the building, I said, "Well oh heck, that's where I was at."

3/28/2013 Related Story: Tulsa County Dentist May Have Exposed 7,000 Patients To HIV, Hepatitis

It's been five years since William Clark went to see Harrington, and he's even got his prescription medication to prove it.

"Another dentist recommended me to him, said he was best in town at that time," Clark said.

He said his experience was as pleasant as it could be, considering he had several teeth pulled.

"I didn't see any evidence of the what they're saying," Clark said. "He was very nice, but I didn't know what I was exposed to."

Clark is one of at least 7,000 dental patients who are being urged to get tested for HIV and hepatitis B and hepatitis C, after accusations that Harrington could have exposed them to the disease through dirty tools and dangerous IV procedures.

When Clark showed up for the free testing, he decided to turn around because the parking lot was overflowing and the line was out the door. But he said he'll be back, mainly for peace of mind.

"It worries me. I don't want to have a disease, or anything that I don't know about, you know?" Clark said.

Read the letter sent to Harrington's patients

Less concerned is 18-year-old Logan Shaw.

He paid a visit to Harrington a few years ago to have his wisdom teeth pulled.

He said that operation was nothing, because you see, Shaw has faced and overcome adversity before.

"Whenever I was 13, I was riding a go-cart and got hit by a car," Shaw said.

He survived the crash, but a lasting spinal cord injury left him paralyzed from the waist down.

"It put a whole new spin on things," Shaw said. "I probably wouldn't be this happy right now if I hadn't got put in a wheelchair before, but oh well."

Now he's facing yet another challenge, and once again, he's facing it head-on with a remarkable spirit and positive attitude.

"HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C," Shaw said. "They don't really scare me because, I mean, I've overcome all this other stuff, if something else happens I can probably overcome it, too."