Former Patients Of Tulsa's 'Dirty Dentist' Rush To Get Tested

Hundreds of former dental patients are waiting for their HIV and Hepatitis test results. They're all former patients of a Tulsa dentist accused of dirty practices.

Saturday, March 30th 2013, 11:58 pm

By: News 9


Hundreds of former dental patients are waiting for their HIV and Hepatitis test results. They're all former patients of a Tulsa dentist accused of dirty practices.

It's the second day the Oklahoma City and County Health Department has extended its hours to offer free HIV and Hepatitis B and C tests to for former dental patients of Dr. Scott Harrington. Dozens showed up here while hundreds more got tested in Tulsa.

3/29/2013 Related Story: Free Testing For Metro Residents, Former Patients Of Tulsa County Dentist With Tainted Tools

More than 400 people battled long lines at the Tulsa Health Department. They came for free HIV and Hepatitis B and C testing.

"It was that long whenever we went through, so it's just grown the whole time," said former patient, Logan Shaw.

Shaw, 18, visited Harrington a few years ago to have his wisdom teeth pulled. He was shocked to learn Harrington's office is under fire for possibly exposing patients to life-changing viruses.

"I mean it kind of freaked me out at first because I didn't know really what anything was," Shaw said.

3/28/2013 Related Story: State Board Says Tulsa Dentist's Practice Was Unsafe, Unsanitary

There are thousands of other patients who also could have been exposed to the diseases through unsanitary practices at the dentist. William Clark is one of them and he's even got his prescription medication to prove it.

"And I said [to] myself when they showed the building, I said ‘Oh well heck, that's where I was at,'" said Clark. "But I didn't see any evidence, you know of what they're saying, it was very nice, but I don't know what I was exposed to."

3/29/2013 Related Story: Expert Reassures Public After Tulsa County Dental Health Scare

"We know that there are a lot of people who are nervous about this and who have anxiety about this, so we definitely expected a large turnout today. And so far that has proved true," said Kaitlin Snider with the Tulsa Health Department.

The Health Department here in Oklahoma City will continue offering extended hours for testing starting Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. Results should be mailed in two to three weeks.

3/29/2013 Related Story: Public Reacts To Allegations Against Tulsa Dentist

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