3 Philadelphia Dental Clinics Closed Due to Infection Risk

PHILADELPHIA — Three dental offices in Philadelphia have been closed for what city health officials say was improper reprocessing and sterilization of dental equipment, along with lapses in injection safety practices.

Patients of the Trieu Family Dental Clinics are also urged to get tested for HIV, hepatitis B and C, although health officials say the risk of infection appears to be low and they are not aware of any infections related to “these unsafe practice.”

The clinics were closed last December after city investigators found evidence of improper safety practices. The closures were announced Monday in a statement that noted the clinics can be reopened after health and licensing authorities are satisfied they are safe.

Officials began investigating the clinics after they received an anonymous.

A message left at a clinic office Tuesday was not immediately returned.