A Chinese dentist is under investigation after performing an extensive dental procedure that led to the death of a patient. The incident came to light after the man’s daughter, Shu, from Jinhua, Zhejiang province, shared the details on social media on September 2. Shu revealed that her father, surnamed Huang, underwent a complex treatment at Yongkang Deway Dental Hospital on August 14, which resulted in his death shortly after.
According to reports, the surgeon, surnamed Yuan, extracted 23 teeth and implanted 12 dental fixtures in a single session using the “immediate restoration” technique, as agreed in the consent form signed by Huang. Despite having five years of experience in dental surgery, the procedure left Huang in considerable discomfort, which persisted until his death.
“I never imagined my father would pass away so suddenly. He didn’t even get the chance to drive the new car we bought for him,” Shu told local media outlets.
Following the incident, an official from the Yongkang Municipal Health Bureau commented on September 3, stating, “Since there was a 13-day gap between the procedure and his death, the cause is still under investigation.” On September 6, a clinic spokesperson informed the media that they would refrain from commenting further, as the case had been referred to a lawyer for official updates.
Dental expert Xiang Guolin, head of the Dental Medicine Centre at Wuhan’s Hospital of Universal Love, noted that there are no official guidelines regulating the number of teeth that can be extracted in one sitting, but most practices typically limit the number to 10. “Extracting 23 teeth is highly unusual and requires both a well-qualified clinic and an experienced dentist. The patient’s ability to withstand such an intensive procedure must also be taken into consideration,” Xiang added.
The investigation is ongoing, and further updates are expected as authorities look into the circumstances surrounding Huang’s death.