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Almost 60 people have tested positive for hepatitis or HIV after visiting an Oklahoma dentist who used unsanitary medical equipment on them during their checkup, the Tulsa Health Department said Thursday.

 The clinic of oral surgeon W. Scott Harrington was shut down in March after an investigation. According to the health officials, 57 current and former patients who may have been treated with dirty equipment have tested positive for hepatitis C and three tested positive for hepatitis B.

"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."

Dr. W. Scott Harrington, in Tulsa, had been practicing dentistry in the area for over 30 years before the Oklahoma Dental Act found "major violations" and several violations of safety and health laws while conducting an investigation at his dental practice.

Health officials have so far have screened 3,122 people who underwent oral surgery procedures at clinics operated by Dr Scott Harrington, a Tulsa oral surgeon who is accused of using improper sterilization techniques that may have exposed his patients to blood-borne viruses.

"This is a complex investigation," state epidemiologist Dr. Kristy Bradley said in a statement, stressing that the source of the infections is still under investigation. "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."

The Tulsa Health Department has set up a hotline at (918) 595-4500 for people with questions.