7,000 warned of potential HIV, hepatitis exposure from Dental Office

[Mr. Laz]

Yikes ...


-------------
7,000 warned of potential HIV, hepatitis exposure
By CNN Staff
updated 6:35 PM EDT, Thu March 28, 2013

7,000 patients at Dentist W. Scott Harrington's Tulsa practice could have been exposed to HIV and hepatitis.

Those who visited a Tulsa, Oklahoma, dentist since 2007 may have been exposed

An investigation into the dental practice showed numerous violations
The Tulsa Health Department is offering free testing for hepatitis and HIV
Health department: "Transmission in this type of occupational setting is rare"
(CNN) -- Some 7,000 patients of a Tulsa, Oklahoma, dental practice were being notified they could have been exposed to HIV and hepatitis over the past six years, health authorities said Thursday.

Dentist W. Scott Harrington voluntarily stopped practicing when the joint investigation by the Tulsa Health Department and the Oklahoma State Department of Health began, the Tulsa agency said in a statement. "The dentist is cooperating with investigators through his attorney," the department said.

According to the State Board of Dentistry, the investigation into Harrington's practice found "numerous violations of health and safety laws and major violations of the State Dental Act," the health department said.

While the statement did not elaborate, the department said investigators with the state dental board "have been assisted by agents from the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration concerning the maintenance, control and use of drugs on the premises."
The investigation, it said, is "multifaceted and ongoing."

Patients who have seen Harrington since 2007 will be notified by letter. It is recommended they be tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV, the health department said. Harrington worked in the Tulsa suburb of Owasso.

"Hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV are serious medical conditions, and infected patients may not have outward symptoms of the disease for many years," the health department said.

"As a precaution, and in order to take appropriate steps to protect their health, it is important for these patients to get tested. It should be noted that transmission in this type of occupational setting is rare."

Callers to Harrington's office heard a recording stating the office was currently closed. CNN spoke to an emergency page representative, who said she believed the closure was temporary.

The page representative said Harrington was not available unless a caller had a dental emergency.

Patient information is available only from the past seven years, the department said. Those who saw Harrington before 2007 may not receive a letter.

Testing will be done free of charge at the health department starting Saturday and resuming on Monday, the statement said. A hotline has been set up for people with questions about the notifications.

[Hootie]

that dentist office must be in a heavily wooded area surrounded by gobs and gobs of AIDS trees

[Hammock Parties]

[Bwana]

Wow

[threebag]

Before I put my tool, I mean a tool in your mouth let me gas you.

[Sorter]

Are they positive?

[BlackHelicopters]

Transmission would be extremely unlikely. Sometimes we wash the instruments between patients.

[lcarus]

It was just yesterday I went to QuikTrip that was packed full of a billion people buying lottery tickets and groceries (when there's a god damn grocery store right across the street where shit's half the price) and thought to myself "Tulsa needs a new plague". Hopefully those people that buy 15 grocery items at QT went to this dentist, got aids and ****ing die. Yep. Bad day at the office.

[Bump]

Originally Posted by lcarus

It was just yesterday I went to QuikTrip that was packed full of a billion people buying lottery tickets and groceries (when there's a god damn grocery store right across the street where shit's half the price) and thought to myself "Tulsa needs a new plague". Hopefully those people that buy 15 grocery items at QT went to this dentist, got aids and ****ing die. Yep. Bad day at the office.

ya, people who buy stuff at convenience stores should be KILLED.

lol wut

[Bump]

I know some people in Tulsa. I hope they didnt go there.

[tooge]

Wonder if he was re using needles or administering illegal drugs or both. What and idiot.

[Cannibal]

This very well may be one of the victims.