A longtime dentist in Tulsa is in a world of trouble. W. Scott Harrington, who practiced in Tulsa for over 30 years, was forced to shut down his practice amid allegations that his unsanitary practices exposed thousands of patients to hepatitis and HIV.
An investigation into Harrington's practice found numerous violations of health and safety laws and major violations of the State Dental Act, the department said. Dental Board investigators 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, according to the board.
Harrington is facing 17 allegations from the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry due to health and safety violations levied against his practice. Charges include: a patient testing positive for HIV and Hepatitis C; the dental practice being unsafe, unsanitary and lacking of sterilization checks; committing gross negligence related to decisions related to the dental health care of patients; practicing dentistry without proper display of licenses and certifications; violation of provisions of the State Dental Act by failure to keep a suitable record of dangerous drugs; unlawful practices in authorizing dental assistants to practice dentistry; and having open vials or medication and unsanitary dental materials in an unclean environment.
Harrington surrendered his dental license on March 20, and is cooperating with the investigation--as if he has a choice, given the circumstances. He operated two practices in the Tulsa area--one in Tulsa itself, and another in the suburb of Owasso. The Oklahoma Health Department is planning to send out letters to 7,000 of Harrington's now-former patients notifying them of the situation. However, patient information only goes back as far as 2007, so they're urging anyone who's seen Harrington over the years to get tested. By my math, that works out to tens of thousands of people.
The Tulsa Health Department is offering free testing on Saturday and Monday at the North Regional Health and Wellness Center. It's also set up a free hotline that will be staffed from 7 am to 7 pm--especially for those who have seen Harrington since 2007. That number is 918-595-4500.
The Tulsa World reports that earlier this year, a patient at Harrington's Tulsa practice contracted hepatitis. Health officials got suspicious when the patient had no known risk factors. After they found out the patient had dental surgery during the window of infection, they conducted two inspections earlier this month. The inspectors found rampant violations, including hygenists and assistants being allowed to perform IV sedation--which Oklahoma law only allows a licensed dentist to perform.
If I'm in Harrington's shoes, I'd make sure I have a damned good lawyer and that my retainer is all paid up. He deserves to be sued into poverty--and spend a long, long time in jail.