'Dirty dentist' costing taxpayers upwards of $700,000

Dr. Scott Harrington, Tulsa's so-called 'dirty dentist,' is costing taxpayers plenty of money.

So far, more than 3,500 former patients of the oral surgeon have been tested for hepatitis and HIV.

State Health Department spokeswoman Leslea Bennett-Webb tells KRMG that each test costs $195 which puts the current tab at just shy of $700,000.

Bennett-Webb says the costs associated with the investigation will rise as follow-up tests, patient notification and time needed for disease investigations in patients who test positive are added up.

65 of Harrington's patients have tested positive for hepatitis C but health officials have not been able to tie any of the infections directly to Harrington's practice.

Bennett-Webb says it is possible that the health department could go after Harrington to recoup some of the cost of the testing.