If you’ve spent any time following the twisted, tragic saga of the Dan Markel murder-for-hire case, you know the Adelson name carries a heavy weight. For decades, that name was synonymous with high-end restorative dentistry in South Florida. People in Tamarac and the surrounding Miami area knew the Adelson Institute as a family-run staple. But with everything that has unfolded in recent years—the trials, the convictions, and the high-stakes arrests—a lot of former patients and true crime followers are left asking a very simple question: Is Harvey Adelson still practicing dentistry?
The short answer is no. He's done.
Honestly, it’s not just a matter of him wanting to hang up the drill and retire to a quiet life. The transition from being a respected dental professional to a man watching his wife and son receive life sentences has been, to put it mildly, a total collapse of a professional legacy.
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The Current Status of Harvey Adelson’s Dental License
Let’s look at the hard facts first, because in a case this sensational, rumors tend to fly. According to the Florida Department of Health, Harvey Adelson’s license (License Number: DN5954) is officially listed as Retired.
His license expired on February 28, 2022. He didn't renew it. By the time the world saw the dramatic footage of his wife, Donna Adelson, being arrested at the Miami International Airport in late 2023, Harvey had already stepped away from the chair. He’d been practicing since December 1972. That’s nearly fifty years of dentistry. But the way it ended wasn't exactly a gold-watch-and-cake kind of retirement.
What Happened to the Adelson Institute?
The Adelson Institute in Tamarac was more than just Harvey’s office. It was the family’s base of operations. Donna worked as the office manager. Their son, Charlie Adelson—who was eventually convicted for his role in the 2014 murder of FSU law professor Dan Markel—was the periodontist on staff.
The practice didn't just slowly fade away; it essentially imploded under the pressure of the ongoing investigation and the eventual arrests.
- The Sale: Reports indicate that Harvey Adelson sold the practice around 2021 or early 2022.
- The Reputation Hit: It’s hard to keep a steady flow of patients when your lead periodontist is being investigated for a murder-for-hire plot.
- The Shutdown: By late 2023, the physical location was no longer operating under the Adelson name.
One former dental assistant, Clariza Spoltore, who worked for Harvey for roughly 40 years, actually testified in Donna’s trial. She described the office environment and confirmed that the practice was the center of their lives until everything fell apart. When the business was sold, it marked the official end of Harvey’s professional career.
Why He Isn't Practicing Anymore
It isn't just about age. Harvey is in his late 70s now. Most people retire by then anyway. But for Harvey, the "why" is deeply tied to the legal catastrophe surrounding his family.
When Charlie Adelson was convicted in November 2023, the legal walls closed in even tighter. Just days after that conviction, Harvey and Donna were at the airport with one-way tickets to Vietnam. They didn't make it. Donna was taken into custody right there on the jetway. While Harvey wasn't arrested that night—prosecutors stated at the time they didn't have enough evidence to charge him—his life as a private citizen, let alone a practicing dentist, was effectively over.
You can't really run a dental practice when you're busy attending the murder trials of your wife and son. You can't maintain a "restorative" reputation when the public perceives your family as destructive.
Where is Harvey Adelson Now?
As of early 2026, Harvey Adelson remains a free man, but he is a man whose entire world has changed. He has been seen in courtrooms, often appearing frail, supporting his wife during her legal proceedings. He’s gone from being the patriarch of a wealthy, successful "dental dynasty" to a figure of pity or suspicion, depending on who you ask.
There’s also the matter of his son, Charlie, whose dental license was naturally revoked following his felony conviction. The "Adelson" brand in the dental world is, for all intents and purposes, extinct.
Actionable Insights for Former Patients or Interested Parties
If you were a patient of Harvey Adelson or are trying to track down records, here is the reality of the situation:
- Patient Records: Since the practice was sold years ago, the new owners of the facility or the purchasing entity typically retain medical records for the legally required period (usually 7 years in Florida). If you need your files, you should contact the current dental office at the 7737 N University Dr location.
- License Verification: You can always double-check the status of any Florida healthcare provider through the Florida Department of Health MQA search portal. It will confirm Harvey’s retired status and Charlie’s revoked status.
- Legal Updates: Because the Dan Markel case is still active in terms of sentencings and potential further investigations, Harvey's status could theoretically change. However, as it stands, he is a retired dentist living in the shadow of the Florida legal system.
Harvey Adelson’s days of filling cavities and placing bridges are long gone. His legacy is no longer found in the smiles of South Florida patients, but in the court transcripts of one of the state's most high-profile criminal cases.