Patients may have been exposed to blood-borne infectious diseases, including HIV and hepatitis B and C, at a dental practice in Philadelphia in which single-use anesthesia vials were allegedly reused and other infection control failures occurred.
Due to the allegations, the state dental board has temporarily suspended the license of Dr. Kirti Chopra of Smiles at Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia. The practice is now closed, according to a press release dated May 20 from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.
Though the department believes the risk of infection is low and is unaware of any infections stemming from the practice, it is encouraging individuals who were patients at the practice between April 2025 and May 2026 to be tested for blood-borne illnesses, including HIV. It is not clear how many patients are affected.
The issues were discovered following an unannounced visit to the practice. During the visit, several sterilization and infection control problems were discovered, including dental instruments that were not sterilized properly, handled with potentially tainted gloves, and packaged with potentially contaminated pouches, according to multiple news stories.
Additionally, investigators reportedly found handpieces that encountered blood and saliva that were left attached to patient equipment after they were used instead of undergoing sterilization.
In the meantime, the department is working with the practice’s staff to update its infection control practices and reeducate them. The practice will not reopen until the department deems the practice’s infection control practices are up to par and Chopra’s license is reinstated.
Additionally, the Pennsylvania Department of State is conducting a separate investigation, according to the press release.
