The Tulsa Health Department said Thursday that as many as 60 individuals are HIV or hepatitis positive after being the patients of a dentist who allegedly re-used needles, according to ABC News.

An Oklahoma dentist, Dr. W. Scott Harrington, was is accused of the unsanitary use of his needles, as well as, incorporating rusty equipment into his practice.

Near the end of March, more than seven thousand individuals who were treated at Harrington’s clinics in Tulsa and Owassa were told, in a letter, to get tested for possible infection. As of Thursday as much at least 3,122 patients were examined. Out of those patients at least 57 have hepatitis C, three have hepatitis B and at least one individual has HIV.

“We understand these first reported test results may be of concern,” THD Director Dr. Bruce Dart in a statement. “Thorough investigations are routinely conducted upon notification of a positive report for these infections. This response will be handled in the same manner, as disease investigation is a core public health service and staff are well trained to conduct this type of response.”

THD is offering counseling and help to anyone that has been infected.

According to a complaint by the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry, a positive test for a patient proved the individual was positive for HIV and hepatitis C. This produced a surprise inspection of Harrington’s facilities and materials. The inspection produced findings of re-used old needles and rusty equipment. The inspection also found that the wounds of some patients were treated with bleach until they “turned white.

"The basic things that everyone knows -- follow CDC guidelines, use clean syringes, don't reuse multi-dose vials in multiple patients, don't use rusted equipment -- those are things even non-physicians know," board president Susan Rogers said at the time the story first broke. "Those are basic things. That part makes it egregious."

The complaint goes on to say that instruments used on infected patients were got an additional dip in bleach on top of normal cleaning. However, some tools had spots of reddish brown.

State epidemiologist Dr. Kristy Bradley warned that, despite allegations, the origin of the infections is still being investigated.

"The next phase will include more in-depth interviews of persons who test positive to determine the likelihood that their exposure is associated with their dental surgical procedure at the Harrington practice. We will certainly continue to keep the public informed as we learn more,” she said.

Harrington is facing a possible license revocation when he stands before the state dentistry board on August 16.

If you have any questions regarding this matter call the Tulsa Health Department Hot line at (918) 595-4500.

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