Mother, Son Say They Were Patients Of Tulsa Dentist Under Investigation

The announcement that a Green Country dentist possibly exposed 7,000 patients to HIV and hepatitis sparked nationwide outrage this week.

Some people took their entire family to Dr. Scott Harrington, who is now at the center of a public health investigation.

Robbi Scott never expected a trip to the dentist would put her where she is now.

"I don't step out of the box to do anything risky, for this to be like--I'm just overwhelmed, actually," Robbi said.

Robbi went to Dr. Harrington to have a tooth pulled in December. Everything was good until Robbi learned she was one of Harrington's 7,000 patients being urged to get tested for HIV or hepatitis.

3/29/2013 Related Story: Expert: Tulsa Dentist's Patients Should Be Most Concerned About Hepatitis B

"The first is disbelief and then I think, 'Is this really happening?'" Robbi said. "I think about my kids, especially Colton, and what it might mean for him."

Colton is Robbi's oldest son. He had his wisdom teeth pulled at Harrington's office last year. He's getting ready to graduate from Oklahoma State University. It's an exciting time in his life that's now been darkened by fear.

"It's scary. It's scary to think about that something like this could happen. You would never expect something like this to happen," Colton said. "And I'm thinking 'How's this gonna affect me going forward in the future?'"

Colton and his mom both say their IV sedation was done by a dental assistant, a serious procedure health officials say the assistants weren't licensed to do. But that's just one of the many allegations against Harrington's office.

Read The Oklahoma Board Of Dentistry's Complaint Against Dr. Harrington

"I just don't understand. I don't understand why. I mean this was an accomplished doctor, why in the world would you put so many people at risk?" Robbi said.

And as Robbi and Colton continue to process the reality of their situation, they say they're praying for a silver lining and stricter regulations.

"They need to do a big overhaul on their procedures and standards, and make sure their stuff is the way it's supposed to be and that it's cleaned properly, sterilization and all that kind of stuff," Colton said.

Robbi and Colton were both tested for the diseases Friday. They say they'll get the results on Monday, and it's going to be the longest 48 hours of their life.

3/29/2013 Related Story: Dentist Offices Not Routinely Inspected, Oklahoma Official Says