Dental Clinic in Philadelphia Accused of Unsanitary Practices
Philadelphia health officials are advising certain patients of a dental clinic facing allegations of “unsanitary practices” to get tested for hepatitis and HIV. This comes after potential exposure between April 2025 and May 2026, as stated by the city’s Department of Public Health.
This clinic, located in Center City Philadelphia, is known as Smiles at Rittenhouse Square—or Smiles on the Square—and is now closed due to the dentist’s temporary suspension.
James Garrow, the city’s deputy health commissioner, mentioned that the current risk for patients appears low since no cases of hepatitis or HIV have been directly linked to this dental office yet. “There’s no known reason to believe the risk is high,” he stated. “However, any time you’re in an unsanitary dentist’s office, there’s a risk.” He emphasizes the importance of testing for affected patients.
The sole dentist at this practice has had their license provisionally suspended, according to state records. “On May 15, 2026, the State Board of Dentistry decided to suspend Dr. Kirti Chopra’s license in Pennsylvania, as her ongoing practice poses a clear threat to public health,” a state official informed ABC News.
Concerns regarding sanitation were uncovered during an unannounced inspection, which revealed various violations. Reportedly, the dentist acknowledged that used medication vials were sometimes put aside for reuse on other patients and single-use IV saline bags were reused as well.
Investigators found multiple issues involving sterilization. They observed dental instruments that weren’t properly sterilized, mishandled with potentially contaminated gloves, and improperly packaged. Also, dental handpieces that had come into contact with blood and saliva were found still attached to equipment meant to be sterilized after use.
The findings indicate risks for transmitting diseases like hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and HIV, as well as possible outbreaks of other infections. Hepatitis and HIV viruses are usually transmitted through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids. While Garrow notes that such exposure at a dentist’s office is “exceedingly rare,” it is still possible if equipment is contaminated.
“If a patient was exposed to one of these diseases, it could lead to serious, life-altering conditions,” he added.
According to medical professionals, affected patients may require several blood tests depending on when exposure occurred. “If it’s recent, at least two or three blood draws would be necessary to establish a baseline and follow-up testing,” Dr. George Diaz, a representative of the Infectious Disease Society of America, explained.
In healthcare settings, hepatitis B, in particular, is noted to be one of the more transmissible viruses when proper sterilization isn’t observed. Vaccination against hepatitis B offers strong protection for those exposed to the virus. “Being vaccinated means you’re virtually safe from risks like this,” Diaz stated.
Currently, no vaccines exist for preventing HIV or hepatitis C, and treatment options differ based on when the infection occurs.
Garrow indicated that the health department is finalizing a list of potentially affected patients, estimating that the number could reach into the hundreds, given the exposure timeframe.
It’s important to note that another dental clinic, Rittenhouse Smiles, located in the same building, is not under investigation. Officials are working to clarify this to avoid confusion among patients.
People who think they might have been exposed, or are patients of Smiles at Rittenhouse Square, can reach out to the health department’s hotline at 215-685-5488, available from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
Dr. Chopra is currently cooperating with both the Department of Public Health and the Pennsylvania Department of State, as reported by her attorney, who also noted that she will continue to work with health officials regarding patient notifications, testing advice, and necessary infection-control measures.
