More than 60 patients of Tulsa dentist, Scott Harrington, test positive for hepatitis

In a follow up to a story late last month, Tulsa and Oklahoma State health officials have reported the results of more than 3,000 patients of Tulsa dentist,  W. Scott Harrington, and at least 60 patients have turned up positive for a bllod borne pathogen, according to a Tulsa Health Department press release Thursday.

Public domain photo/Mattes via wikimedia commons

According to health authorities, so far they have identified 57 individuals who tested positive for hepatitis C, and 3 individuals who tested positive for hepatitis B, based on testing performed by the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s Public Health Laboratory. Less than three patients have tested positive for HIV.

“We understand these first reported test results may be of concern,” said THD Director Dr. Bruce Dart. “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.”

The next step in the process will be contacting those patients with positive tests for counseling and appropriate medical care.

In addition, as part of the ongoing investigation, more in-depth interviews of persons who tested positive will occur to determine the likelihood that their exposure is associated with their dental surgical procedure at the Harrington practice.

Kaitlin Snider, a spokeswoman for the Tulsa Health Department said  it was “premature to draw any conclusions based on where they may have been infected.”

Last month the Tulsa Health Department sent letters to 7,000 former patients of Scott Harrington to offer free lab testing after a surprise inspection of Harrington’s office showed multiple health violations including sterilzation issues.

To date, 3,235 people have visited county health departments throughout the state to have their blood drawn for testing as part of this public health response. An unknown number of persons have sought testing through their private health care provider.

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