Over 60 People Test Positive For Diseases In Tulsa Dentist Scandal
Tulsa health officials have told 60 people that they have tested positive for either hepatitis B or C after they were exposed to it during a visit to a dentist office. Three were told they have hepatitis B; 57 were told they have hepatitis C.
W. Scott Harrington’s patients – approximately 7,000 – were informed in March that they could have been exposed to various diseases like hepatitis and HIV due to bad sterilization practices. Testing for the viruses were then given.
One person tested was told they were positive for HIV. However, it’s not known if there are more since the Oklahoma State Department of Health is not permitted to release the number if it’s no more than three.
On March 18, Harrington’s practice was examined by the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry. What they found were numerous violations including the continuous utilization of corroded dental instruments on patients who had known infections.
The Board’s executive director Susan Rogers said when the inspectors left, they felt physically sick. Officials don’t know how many patients diagnosed with the diseases got them from the dentist… if any of them did.
Kristy Bradley, an epidemiologist with the state, said the investigated is extremely complex. The next move is to get comprehensive interviews with the people who tested positive to figure out what their exposure chances were before and after the dental surgical procedure.
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