Dozens of former patients of a rogue Oklahoma dentist have tested positive for hepatitis, reports ABC News. The Tulsa Health Department said Thursday in an update posted to its website that 57 dental patients tested positive for hepatitis C and three patients tested positive for hepatitis B. The health department noted that more than 3,000 patients have been tested for hepatitis and HIV since a letter was sent out in March urging them to have their blood tested.

According to Tulsa health officials, a clear link between the patients who tested positive for hepatitis and the rogue dentist has not yet been established. State Epidemiologist Kristy Bradley said in a news release that health officials will now investigate whether the patients’ exposure to hepatitis is linked to the dental practices at W. Scott Harrington’s clinic.

Back in March, the Tulsa Health Department sent letters to more than 7,000 of the rogue dentist’s patients describing the heightened risk of infectious diseases from unsafe dental practices. The letter highlighted the need to seek testing for hepatitis and HIV.

According to the complaint filed by the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry, an inspection of the rogue dentist’s clinic on March 18 showed just how unsafe his dental procedures had become. The complaint said that Harrington and his staff used old needles, as well as rusty instruments. In addition, Harrington reportedly used bleach to disinfect patients’ wounds.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the 57 patients who tested positive for hepatitis C are likely to deal with a number of health issues. Hepatitis C, which is spread chiefly through contact with the blood of an infected individual, is a liver disease that can last a few weeks or a lifetime. The CDC adds that the long-term impacts of hepatitis C can vary, but out of every 100 infected individuals, 1-5 people will die from cirrhosis or liver cancer.

ABC News reports that the rogue dentist gave up his Oklahoma dental license and could be facing criminal charge depending on the outcome of the health department’s investigation.

What can be done to prevent this type of health incident from occurring again? If found guilty of exposing his patients to hepatitis, what should Harrington’s punishment be? Sound off in the comments section.