Harrington
Harrington
Harrington
Harrington
Harrington

Tulsa dentist accused of exposing patients to HIV scheduled to face Oklahoma Board of Dentistry in June

March 24, 2014
Tulsa dentist Dr. Scott Harrington has been on trial for the last year for putting patients at risk of contracting HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, but it hasn’t been in a courtroom.

March 24, 2014

Tulsa dentist Dr. Scott Harrington has been on trial for the last year for putting patients at risk of contracting HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, but it hasn’t been in a courtroom.

Dr. Scott Harrington's License Photo

Developing story: Tulsa dentist accused of putting patients at risk for HIV, hepatitis

After finding unsanitary conditions at Dr. Harrington’s Atlanta Place dental office in last March, more than 4,000 patients were tested for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. In September, genetic tests confirmed that at least one patient contracted hepatitis C from Dr. Harrington’s office.

The Executive Director of the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry, Susan Rogers, is attempting to reach a settlement with Dr. Harrington. His hearing before the board has been postponed several times and is now scheduled sometime in June.

Dr. Harrington had been using rusted and pitted instruments, rendering them unsuitable for proper sterilization. He was also suspected of using single vials of medication on multiple patients and allowing his dental assistants to administer IVs, which they are not licensed to do in the state of Oklahoma.

Before last year, Harrington had practiced for 36 years without any complaints.

Lauren Burns is the editor of Proofs magazine and the email newsletters RDH Graduate and Proofs. She is currently based out of New York City. Follow her on Twitter: @ellekeid.