7,000 Okla. dental patients possibly exposed to HIV

[AndyA]

Health officials Thursday urged 7,000 patients of an Oklahoma dentist to seek medical tests for hepatitis or the virus that causes AIDS after discovering that instruments weren't properly cleaned despite the doctor's knowing that several of his patients carried infectious diseases.

"It's uncertain how long those practices have been in place," said Kaitlin Snider, a spokeswoman for the Tulsa Health Department. "He's been practicing for 36 years."

Dr. W. Scott Harrington voluntarily closed his practice and is cooperating with investigators, she said. A hearing is set before the state Dental Board on April 19. Harrington could lose his license for "major violations" of the Oklahoma Dental Act.

http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/28/17505087-7000-okla-dental-patients-possibly-exposed-to-hiv?lite