Local

Confirmed: Patient gets hepatitis C from Tulsa dentist

Oklahoma State Department of Health and Tulsa Health Department released an interim report Wednesday morning detailing the investigation into Tulsa dentist W. Scott Harrington.

The results were record breaking, but certainly not in a good way.

The investigation into former patients testing positive for hepatitis C show one instance of patient-to-patient transmission of the hepatitis C virus.  This is said to have occurred at Harrington's practice.

"This is the first documented report of patient-to-patient transmission of hepatitis C virus associated with a dental setting in the United States," State Epidemiologist Dr. Kristy Bradley said. "While dental procedures are generally safe, this reinforces the importance of adhering to strict infection control procedures in dental settings."

Oklahoma Public Health Laboratory completed testing for 4,202 persons. Of those patients, 89 tested positive for hepatitis C, five for hepatitis B, and four for HIV.

An unknown number of patients also sought testing through personal providers.

Listen

news

weather

traffic

mobile apps

Everything you love about krmg.com and more! Tap on any of the buttons below to download our app.

amazon alexa

Enable our Skill today to listen live at home on your Alexa Devices!