HIV test urged for 7,000 Oklahoma dental patients

Katharine Lackey and Michael Winter, USA TODAY | USA TODAY

Health officials are urging 7,000 patients of an Oklahoma dentist to be tested for potential exposure to HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

The possible exposure happened at the dental practice of Dr. W. Scott Harrington in Tulsa, Okla., and Owasso, Okla. Officials are sending letters to 7,000 patients who have visited the facilities since 2007, according to a health department news release.

Records were available only from 2007 through March, so patients who visited Harrington's practice before then were urged to contact health officials.

Harrington, an oral surgeon who has been licensed since the 1970s, surrendered his credentials March 20 and discontinued his practice after investigators discovered alleged health and safety violations. Authorities say he is cooperating.

The health departments noted that transmissions of these diseases in this type of occupational setting are rare. Kristy Bradley, state epidemiologist, stressed that "this is not an outbreak."

The state health department said that HIV and hepatitis B "have been known to be transmitted in the dental setting" but that there is no documentation of hepatitis C infection. The tests are being recommended as a precaution.

According to the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry, the investigation so far has uncovered "numerous violations of health and safety laws and major violations of the state dental act."

Tulsa television station KOTV cites 17 violations:

Charges include: a patient testing positive for HIV and Hepatitis C; the dental practice being unsafe, unsanitary and lacking of sterilization checks; committing gross negligence related to decisions related to the dental health care of patients; practicing dentistry without proper display of licenses and certifications; violation of provisions of the State Dental Act by failure to keep a suitable record of dangerous drugs; unlawful practices in authorizing dental assistants to practice dentistry; and having open vials or medication and unsanitary dental materials in an unclean environment.

Alleged violations include allowing assistants to administer IV sedation, which only a licensed dentist may perform, and keeping incomplete drug logs and expired medications, the Tulsa World reported. Inspectors found an unlocked, disorganized drug cabinet with a vial that had expired in 1993.

Susan Rogers, the executive director of the dental board, called the allegations "very, very unusual." She told KOTV that Harrington handled a high volume of patients with hepatitis or HIV. She said Harrington had no previous complaints.

Free testing will be available Saturday and Monday at a Tulsa Health Department clinic. Results were expected within one to two weeks.