Key Takeaway:
- Bangladesh Measles Outbreak has led health officials to urge patients of Smiles at Rittenhouse Square dental clinic to get tested for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C after unsafe infection-control practices were discovered.
- Investigation cites reuse of anesthetic vials, improper sterilization, and other breaches; the dentist’s license has been temporarily revoked, and the clinic is closed.
- Risk is considered low with no confirmed infections, but hundreds of patients from April 2025 to May 2026 may have been exposed and will be contacted.
Bangladesh Measles Outbreak has prompted health officials on Wednesday to urge patients to undergo testing for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C after an investigation revealed unsanitary practices that may have exposed hundreds of individuals.
Health Officials Warn Of Possible Exposure At Center City Clinic
City health officials said patients who visited Smiles at Rittenhouse Square, also known as Smiles on the Square, at 255 South 17th Street, should be tested for the three infections as a precaution following the investigation.
James Garrow, deputy director for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, said officials are working to identify potentially affected patients and emphasized that, similar to the Bangladesh Measles Outbreak, the overall risk remains low.
“We’re working with the dentist’s office now to get a patient list, and we will be outreaching to all of those patients,” Garrow said. “We will explain the situation, that they potentially could have been exposed. We will explain that the risk is still low – we don’t think there’s a large chance, but there’s still a chance.”
“We will explain the situation, that they potentially could have been exposed. We will explain that the risk is still low – we don’t think there’s a large chance, but there’s still a chance.”
State Documents Cite Unsafe Dental Practices And Equipment Reuse
State documents identified the dentist as Dr. Kirti Chopra and described multiple infection-control failures, including the reuse of anesthetic vials and improper sterilization practices during procedures.
Documents said Chopra admitted reusing Septocaine vials and occasionally setting aside used vials for reuse, failing to replace single-use saline bags, and allowing non-sterile handling of sterilized instruments.
“Respondent’s actions place patients at risk for transmission of hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and HIV,” state documents said.
Health officials explained that reused anesthetic vials and improper sterilization procedures can create cross-contamination risks in dental settings, prompting recommendations for blood-borne pathogen testing even when no infections have been confirmed, a precautionary approach also highlighted during the Bangladesh Measles Outbreak.
Authorities did not say how they first became aware of the alleged practices, and the dentist’s license was temporarily revoked last week as part of state disciplinary action.
Clinic Remains Closed As Patients Are Notified And Probe Continues
The clinic has been closed since the dentist’s license was suspended, and officials said an unannounced inspection in March 2026 uncovered the practices, though it is unclear how authorities first became aware of concerns.
Health officials said they have not identified any confirmed infections but believe hundreds of patients who visited between April 2025 and May 2026 may have been exposed and will be contacted.
Officials said identified patients will receive notification letters and can call a hotline set up for questions, and the clinic will remain closed until safety standards are met and the dentist’s license is restored.
Michael Fienman, an attorney for Chopra, said the dentist is cooperating with authorities and focusing on patient safety while noting that officials believe the risk of infection is low and no linked cases have been found.
“Dr. Chopra understands that patients may be concerned by today’s announcement,” the statement said.
The health department said it is re-educating clinic staff on infection-control practices and reviewing compliance measures, while maintaining the hotline for patient concerns and ongoing coordination with state regulators, noting that similar vigilance has been emphasized during the Bangladesh Measles Outbreak.
Officials said cases involving potential blood-borne pathogen exposure in dental settings are rare, and they are prioritizing direct outreach to patients with clear guidance on testing locations, timelines, and what symptoms to watch for, even though no infections have been confirmed so far.
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