China: In Zhejiang Province, China, a man who underwent the extraction of 23 teeth and the placement of 12 dental implants in a single day died of a heart attack 13 days later, leading to allegations of medical malpractice. The man’s daughter has filed an official complaint with the
Yongkang City Health Bureau against the dental clinic. She argues that the extensive procedure—removing 23 teeth and placing 12 implants in one day—contributed to her father’s death and is preparing to take legal action against those she believes are responsible.
She reported that her father experienced severe pain after the procedure and suffered for 13 days before his death. She expressed her shock, stating, “I never expected my father to pass away so suddenly,” and asserted, “This is a clear case of medical malpractice, and we will hold those responsible fully accountable.” The surgeon, Yuan, performed the procedure and simultaneously conducted the extractions and implant placements. Although the consent form included the planned extraction of 23 teeth and implant placements, this approach diverges significantly from standard practices, raising concerns. Chinese dental experts have noted that extracting 23 teeth at once is highly unusual.
Xiang Guolin, director of the Dental Medicine Centre at the Hospital of Universal Love in Wuhan, explained that as the number of teeth extracted increases, so does the patient’s pain response and the risk of infection. He warned that performing extractions and implants simultaneously, particularly for molars, can be even more risky. In response, the dental clinic denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the procedure was conducted based on the patient’s condition and consent. A representative from the clinic noted that establishing a direct link between the death and the procedure would be difficult, and they indicated that legal action would be pursued if false rumours were disseminated. Local health authorities are investigating the case and have indicated that further inquiry is needed to establish the causal relationship between the man’s death and the procedure.