14 DAY TRIAL // A dentist in Tulsa, Oklahoma, providing services to patients with HIV and hepatitis among others, is in hot water over failing to properly sterilize instruments and possibly infecting other patients.
An inspection at Dr. Wayne Harrington's practice revealed cross contamination, dirty needles and rusty utensils that were in use on a regular basis.
According to ABC News, the Tulsa Health Department has now issued an alert asking 7,000 of Harrington's other patients to get tested and may take away the dentist's license.
Authorities were prompted to investigate his practice upon receiving a complaint by a patient who was infected with HIV and hepatitis C after a visit to the dentist, without otherwise putting themselves at risk to contract the viruses.
As an oral surgeon, Harrington dealt with a large range of procedures including "pulling teeth, open wounds, open blood vessels," the Jakarta Post adds.
After being dubbed a "menace to the public health," he is currently under investigation by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs and the Drug Enforcement Agency.
Oklahoma's Board of Dentistry executive director Susan Rogers explains that Harrington's work with Medicaid involved treating patients infected with HIV and hepatitis.
His office reps have confirmed providing services to a "high population of known infectious disease carrier patients."
Kaitlin Snider, speaking for Tulsa's Health Department notes that Harrington is shutting down two locations, one in Tulsa and the second suburban Owasso for the duration of the inquiry.
He claims that he has not been aware of the health violations at his offices, pointing the finger at employees in charge of hygiene matters at the practices.
"During the inspections, Dr. Harrington referred to his staff regarding all sterilization and drug procedures in his office. [...] He advised, 'They take care of that. I don't,'" Oklahoma Dentistry Board officials describe.