City health officials have closed a dental practice in Philadelphia and suspended the owner’s license over unsanitary conditions that may have exposed patients to several diseases, CBS Philadelphia reported May 20.
Smiles at Rittenhouse Square was shut down, while the license of Kirti Chopra, DDS, was temporarily suspended, according to state records.
City officials made an unannounced visit to the practice March 25 to investigate its infection control practices. According to a suspension order filed May 15, investigators reported several violations during their visit, including the practice reusing single-use items, such as saline bags and Septocaine vials, and not practicing proper sterilization techniques.
The actions reported in the suspension order place patients at risk of transmitting hepatitis C, hepatitis B and HIV, according to the suspension order. Investigators also warned of potential outbreaks of bacterial or fungal infections.
The city health department is working to get a list of patients who visited the practice between April 2025 and May 2026. Those patients will be contacted via mail and recommended to get tested.
The health department also said it will work with the practice’s staff to address its infection control measures.
The practice will not be able to open until the issues are addressed and the dentist’s license is reinstated.
The Pennsylvania Department of State is conducting a separate investigation into the practice, CBS Philadelphia reported.
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