One more former patient of Tulsa oral surgeon Dr. W. Scott Harrington has tested positive for hepatitis C, bringing the total number of positive results to 70, and at least one more tested positive for HIV, according to the Tulsa City-County Health Department.
Four people have tested positive for hepatitis B and three have tested positive for HIV, according to the department.
Harrington might have exposed at least 7,000 patients to the diseases through unsanitary equipment and a lack of infection control procedures.
He voluntarily stopped practicing March 20. Nearly 3,800 former patients of Harrington's have been tested at county health departments, according to the Tulsa City-County Health Department.
An unknown number of people have been tested by their private physicians.
Tulsa County District Attorney Tim Harris issued a statement Thursday saying the investigation into Harrington is ongoing and eventually will be reviewed for potential criminal charges.
The investigation could take a long time, he said.
"We are in contact with a variety of state and federal agencies, including the state dental board, but the simple fact is that a substantial investigation will need to be conducted and completed before any decision on potential criminal charges will take place," Harris said in the statement.
Several people have sued Harrington, claiming medical negligence, including one lawsuit that alleges that the former patient was infected with hepatitis C at the dental office.
The Oklahoma Board of Dentistry issued a 17-count complaint in March stating that investigators found rusted, uncleaned equipment at Harrington's office.
There was no written infection control procedure, and dental assistants were dispensing drugs in a way that could result in cross-contamination, according to the complaint.
Harrington also was allowing assistants to perform IV sedation, which they are not supposed to do, according to the complaint.
Shannon Muchmore 918-581-8378
shannon.muchmore@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: More patients of ex-dentist test positive
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