Infection with hepatitis C is the most common chronic blood-borne infection in the USA and the virus can be transmitted from patient to patient through improper infection control practices. About 3.2 million people are chronically infected. (Photo: Dragon Images/Shutterstock)

2013-11-18 | News Americas

TULSA, Okla., USA: After the testing of more than 4,000 people whose dentist is suspected of having exposed patients to contaminated materials for years, the Oklahoma State Department of Health and Tulsa Health Department announced that no cases of HIV infection could be associated with the practice. However, they confirmed that one instance of patient-to-patient transmission of the hepatitis C virus had occurred in the practice.

According to an interim status report published by the two health agencies last month, this is the first documented report of patient-to-patient transmission of the hepatitis C virus associated with a dental setting in the USA.

As reported by Dental Tribune ONLINE earlier this year, the health officials notified about 7,000 current and former patients of oral surgeon Dr. W. Scott Harrington to have themselves tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV in March, as they may have been exposed to blood-borne viruses at one of Harrington's offices.

In total, the Oklahoma Public Health Laboratory completed testing of 4,208 patients. Ninety patients tested positive for hepatitis C, six for hepatitis B, and four for HIV. 

A final report summarizing the public health investigation and response is underway, the authorities announced.