Dental assistants also facing possible charges in 'dirty dentist' scandal

Dr. Scott Harrington, the so-called 'dirty dentist,' is getting plenty of attention.

His dental assistants aren't getting much attention but they also face possible charges.

Those dental assistants are accused of violating plenty of rules including giving patients IV sedation.

Cindy Durley with the Dental Assisting National Board says dental assistants should know that they are only supposed to work under the supervision of a licensed dentist.

Durley says, "It's their obligation, as it is the supervisory dentist or oral surgeon in this case, to know what the law is."

Durley says there is a silver lining to this story.

Durley says, "This does bring to light that people need to pay attention to what the requirements are."

Oklahoma dental law matches up with national standards.

Durley says, "There isn't a location in the US where dental assistants work outside the supervision of a licensed dentist."