Health department reports on Tulsa dental clinic response
(Updated - Original posting was at 10:52, April 18)
Over 3000 people who were patients of the W. Scott Harrington dental practice have visited county health departments throughout Oklahoma to be tested for blood borne viruses. The Health Department recommended testing for hepatitis B and C, and HIV following the March 28 announcement that patients of the Harrington dental surgical practice may have been exposed to blood-borne viruses at his Tulsa and Owasso offices. Most of the patients have been seen by the Tulsa Health Department (THD), although over 600 persons have visited at least 30 other county health departments to be screened.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) reports that 4,951 patient notification letters were sent to current and former patients of Dr. Harrington encouraging them to be tested at free screening clinics established at county health departments. The Oklahoma State Department of Health’s Public Health Laboratory is providing the laboratory analysis on specimens collected at these sites. The lab has completed testing for 3,235 persons.
The ongoing investigation has so far identified 57 individuals who tested positive for hepatitis C, and 3 individuals who tested positive for hepatitis B. Positive results have been reported for HIV, but OSDH Data Security Policy regarding HIV disclosure prohibits public reporting of numbers less than 3.
“We understand these first reported test results may be of concern,” said THD Director Dr. Bruce Dart. “Thorough investigations are routinely conducted upon notification of a positive report for these infections. This response will be handled in the same manner, as disease investigation is a core public health service and staff are well trained to conduct this type of response.”
The OSDH and THD have begun notifying persons who participated in the screening of their test results. Those persons whose tests are positive are being personally contacted and counseled about information specific to the disease for which the test was positive, and they will be directed to resources for appropriate care and follow up. If warranted, testing will be recommended for a spouse or partner.For every new infection of hepatitis C prevented by this public health response, $30,000 to $40,000 will be saved in associated health care costs.
“This is a complex investigation,” emphasized State Epidemiologist Dr. Kristy Bradley. “The next phase will include more in-depth interviews of persons who test positive to determine the likelihood that their exposure is associated with their dental surgical procedure at the Harrington practice. We will certainly continue to keep the public informed as we learn more.”
Based on current Oklahoma disease prevalence data for hepatitis B and C and HIV, health officials recognize some of the screening results will be positive for infection exposure not related to dental procedures at the Harrington practice. From the most recent data available, an estimated 4,944 persons are living with HIV/AIDS in Oklahoma and as many as 68,000 Oklahomans may be infected with hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C is the most common blood-borne infection in the United States and is an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality. Hepatitis C causes inflammation of the liver that can lead to chronic health issues. Many of the approximately three to four million persons living with hepatitis C in the U.S. are unaware they are infected and do not receive care or treatment. Hepatitis B, a contagious liver disease, is spread when blood, semen or other body fluid infected with the hepatitis B virus enters the body of a person not infected.
Tests used to identify hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV are based on the body’s immune response to infection. Persons infected will begin to test positive within weeks with almost all testing positive within six months of exposure. Persons who are tested prior to six months after exposure and are found to be negative should be tested again at six months after exposure to assure they are negative.
Screening Appointments and Patient Information Hotline
In the Tulsa metropolitan area, screening continues weekdays at the North Regional Health and Wellness Center, 5635 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Patients should call the Patient Information Hotline (918) 595-4500 to make an appointment for screening at the clinic. Patients can also contact the North Regional Health and Wellness Center directly at (918) 595-4380 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins will be accepted, however appointments are recommended in order to minimize wait times. English- and Spanish-speaking public health representatives will be available during normal business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Anyone who was a patient at Dr. W. Scott Harrington’s dental practice should contact the hotline with any questions or to schedule a screening appointment.
Current and former patients of the Harrington practice who live elsewhere in the state should contact their local county health department to make an appointment to have their blood drawn for testing.
Further information on the screenings and results from this public health response will be included in Situation Updates issued regularly by the Tulsa Health Department tulsa-health.organd Oklahoma State Department of Health health.ok.gov.