Top Oklahoma Health Agency Releases Copy Of Letter Sent To Dental Patients

After announcing that thousands of Oklahoma dental patients may be at risk for blood-borne viruses because of "unsafe" and "unsanitary" practices, the Oklahoma State Department of Health has released a copy of the letter sent to patients urging them to be tested.

Former patients of Dr. W. Scott Harrington are being notified by mail, but the agency is asking all of those who were treated by the dentist to be tested as a precaution, because patient records were only available through 2007.

The 7,000 letters will be mailed in batches, and it could take a few weeks to complete the process.

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

"Although we do not know whether you were personally exposed to blood-borne viruses, there is a possibility that you may have been exposed to infectious material," the letter states. "As a precaution, we are recommending that you get tested for hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)."

In the letter, the health department also said it knows the allegations against Harrington's office are alarming and frightening, but urges recipients to direct questions to a hotline designated to handle concerns.

The hotline can be reached at 918-595-4500 from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Read the letter sent to Harrington's patients