Philadelphia Dental Office Patients Urged to Get Tested for HIV and Hepatitis After License Suspension

The Pennsylvania Department of State suspended the dentist's license at Smiles at Rittenhouse Square, located at 255 South 17th Street in Philadelphia, for unsafe and unsanitary practices. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health recommends anyone who visited between April 2025 and May 2026 get tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. Officials report no confirmed infections and describe the risk as low, but the clinic remains closed pending license reinstatement.

License suspension details

• ▪The dentist's license at Smiles at Rittenhouse Square was suspended for unsafe and unsanitary practices.
• ▪Just one dentist works at Smiles at Rittenhouse Square.
• ▪The Pennsylvania Department of State temporarily suspended the dentist's license at Smiles at Rittenhouse Square last week before May 20, 2026.
• ▪The clinic at 255 South 17th Street in Philadelphia is now closed.

Patient testing recommendations

• ▪The Philadelphia Department of Public Health recommends that anyone who visited Smiles at Rittenhouse Square between April 2025 and May 2026 get tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.
• ▪The Philadelphia Department of Public Health will send letters to affected patients with details about the situation, including information on testing and a letter for their healthcare provider.

Health risk assessment

• ▪There are no confirmed reports of infections linked to Smiles at Rittenhouse Square as of May 20, 2026.
• ▪It is not yet clear how many patients may have been affected by the unsafe practices at Smiles at Rittenhouse Square.
• ▪Philadelphia health officials are not aware of any confirmed cases of HIV or Hepatitis at Smiles at Rittenhouse Square.
• ▪Philadelphia health officials stated the risk of infection from the unsafe practices at Smiles at Rittenhouse Square is low.

Clinic reopening requirements

• ▪The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is coordinating with Smiles at Rittenhouse Square's staff to update safety protocols and provide re-education.
• ▪The Philadelphia Department of Public Health will not allow Smiles at Rittenhouse Square to reopen until all unsafe practices are addressed and the dentist's license is reinstated.
• ▪The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is working with Smiles at Rittenhouse Square to improve infection control.
• ▪The Pennsylvania Department of State is conducting a separate investigation into Smiles at Rittenhouse Square's practices.
• ▪It is not yet clear when Smiles at Rittenhouse Square might reopen.

Patient support resources

• ▪The hotline for Smiles at Rittenhouse Square patients is available between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
• ▪A hotline has been set up at 215-685-5488 for patients who have questions about their potential exposure to infections at Smiles at Rittenhouse Square.

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