Philadelphia Urges 2025-26 Dental Patients to Test for HIV, Hepatitis After License Revocation
Updated
Updated · NBC Philadelphia · May 20
Philadelphia Urges 2025-26 Dental Patients to Test for HIV, Hepatitis After License Revocation
7 articles · Updated · NBC Philadelphia · May 20
Philadelphia health officials told patients treated at Smiles at Rittenhouse Square between April 2025 and May 2026 to get tested for hepatitis C, hepatitis B and HIV.
State records tied the warning to dentist Dr. Kirti Chopra, whose license was temporarily revoked after investigators said Septocaine vials were reused, single-use saline bags were not replaced and sterile instruments were mishandled.
Officials said the infection risk appears low and no cases linked to the clinic have been identified, but the office remains closed while the city seeks patient lists and plans staff infection-control retraining.
Patients identified as potentially exposed will receive letters with testing details, and the health department has opened a hotline as the regulatory case continues.
How can patients of the closed Philly dental clinic prove they were harmed before their legal rights expire?
A dentist reused needles for over a year. How did Pennsylvania's health oversight system fail to notice?
What causes medical professionals to reuse single-use equipment, gambling with patient safety for over a year?