The case is of a dentist, Dr. W. Scott Harrington, who has potentially infected approximately seven thousand patients in the past six years. According to investigators from the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry, Harrington’s oral and facial practice may have exposed a score of patients to HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. Harrington’s practice violates several safety precautions and health practice regulations (Petrochko, 2013). Thus, he faces both civil and criminal prosecution of his malpractices. Besides this paper pointing out the malpractices he indulged in and the legal actions he faces, it also provides an active link that offers more insight to this week’s reading.
Firstly, Harrington hired unlicensed and unauthorized employees. Additionally, he allowed them to perform intravenous sedation of patients. Section 328.24 of the Oklahoma Statutes Dental Acts 2017 prohibits any individual to act in the capacity of a dental assistant for more than a single day of the calendar of a year without applying for certification by the Board within thirty days since the commencement of employment. Also, 2010 Dental Rules and Regulation part 195:20-1-3.1 states that one should be licensed in order to provide intravenous sedation. Failure to satisfy the requirement prompts for legal prosecution of both the assistant and the practicing dentist.
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Secondly, Harrington’s practice raised several sterilization and cross-contamination issues. The instruments were improperly sterilized, and the employees were using rusted instruments on patients. Chapter 35 section 195:35-1-3 of the 2010 dental rules and regulation clearly elucidates that any instrument intended to be used intraorally or extra orally should undergo sterilization. Before sterilization, the rule indicates that in the case where the instrument is contaminated by some debris, blood, and saliva, they should be thoroughly scrubbed with detergent and water solution before sterilization occurs. Additionally, the regulation states that any non-surgical instrument for example plastic equipment that may come in contact with the tissue should be disinfected with a tuberculocidal solution. Moreover, the instruments should be tested and verified on a regular basis. Contrary to the rules, the investigators established that Dr. Harrington only used bleach.
Thirdly, according to the report, the medications in the drug cabinet were improperly stored. The cabinet remained unlocked, and some of the medications were already expired. Additionally, an important log of inventory information was missing. According to the complaint, there was some medication in the cabinet whose expiration date was in 1993. Despite not receiving any morphine since 2009, records were showing the dentist used morphine throughout 2012. Thus, Harrington faces charges of negligence as per the Oklahoma dental rules and regulations. Negligence attracts severe punishment including revocation of practice license.
Overall, it is essential that as patients visit a dentist, they should ensure that he/she uses a fresh pair of gloves for each practice. Additionally, the patient is free to inquire about the sterilization process. On the other hand, the dentist is supposed to ensure thorough cleaning and sterilization of dental equipment, disinfect surfaces, and ensure employees wear protective gear, that is, eye protection, gloves, and masks.
The CNN article “Dentist's office a 'perfect storm' for HIV, hepatitis exposure, health official says” written by Mariano Castillo offers more incite to this week’s topic. The article can be accessed via the link “https://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/29/health/oklahoma-dental-warning/index.html.” The article elaborates more on some of the seventeen violations committed by Dr. Harrington (Castillo, 2013). Additionally, it provides a video of a teen and her mother explaining the horror and torment they experienced under Dr. Harrington’s care.
References
Castillo, M. (2013). Dentist's office a 'perfect storm' for HIV, hepatitis exposure - CNN. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/29/health/oklahoma-dental-warning/index.html
Oklahoma Department of Central Services. Rules and Regulations (2010). The State of Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Statutes: The State Dental Act (2017). Oklahoma.
Petrochko, C. (2013). Okla. Dentist May Have Exposed 7,000 to HIV. Retrieved from https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/hivaids/38154
