Oklahoma dentist suspected of putting 7,000 patients at risk of HIV

May 18, 2013 (Press-News.org) Oklahoma dentist suspected of putting 7,000 patients at risk of HIV

Article provided by Gregg W. Luther
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There has been quite the public health scare in the last few months in Oklahoma. According to a report by the Associated Press, the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry has filed a 17-count complaint against a Tulsa oral surgeon who is accused of putting approximately 7,000 patients at risk of contracting hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.

The issue first came to light when a patient of the oral surgeon tested positive for hepatitis C. Upon further investigation by the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry, several violations of the standard of care were witnessed in the dentist's office that may have led to serious illness or injury in his patients. For example, investigators found potentially contaminated drug vials, rusted instruments and misused sterilization equipment. The investigators also found that the dentist and his staff inserted used needles into drug vials and reused drug vials and other equipment with multiple patients.

In the wake of the investigation, the Oklahoma Health Department sent letters to the dentist's 7,000 patients advising them to be tested for serious illnesses including HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

As of early May, three patients had tested positive for HIV, four had tested positive for hepatitis B and 70 had tested positive for hepatitis C, according to a report from KJRH news. At the time that data was released, approximately 3,800 of the dentist's patients had been tested.

The oral surgeon, who had been practicing dentistry for 36 years, voluntarily gave up his license after the improprieties were discovered. The Oklahoma Board of Dentistry is currently deciding whether further sanctions are appropriate. The dentist may also end up facing criminal charges.

This is not the first time the dentist has gotten into trouble. He has been the subject of medical malpractice lawsuits twice before, once in 1994 and again in 1997. Both cases ended with settlements. Given the circumstances of the current investigation, it is likely he will be facing more lawsuits in the near future.

Bringing a medical malpractice claim

Many people in Oklahoma are not aware that they have a right to pursue a medical malpractice claim if they are injured as a result of medical negligence. Others mistakenly believe that medical malpractice law covers the acts of doctors, but not dentists.

In reality, Oklahoma law allows patients to bring medical malpractice lawsuits whenever they have been injured by the negligence of a medical provider, be it a doctor, nurse, dentist or even a hospital.

Medical malpractice lawsuits are important because the costs associated with a serious injury can be very significant. For example, the patients who caught serious diseases as a result of this oral surgeon's alleged negligence will likely require a lifetime of medical care. They may also miss significant amounts of work as they try to recover. Some may even die as a result of the disease.

Medical malpractice lawsuits allow injured patients to recover compensation for damages including past and future medical care, lost wages, lost earning potential and pain and suffering. If the patients die, their survivors may be able to pursue claims for wrongful death.

If you or a loved one has been hurt by a medical professional talk to an Oklahoma medical malpractice attorney who can review your case and help you understand your options for moving forward