Police Refer Doctor to Public Prosecution Office Over Gangnam Implant Clinic Patient Death

Police have referred a doctor to the Public Prosecution Office in connection with the death of a patient at a large, low-cost dental implant clinic in Gangnam, Seoul.

The Metropolitan Investigation Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced today (Nov. 2) that it referred dentist A to the Seoul Western District Public Prosecution Office on October 30 on charges of involuntary manslaughter by occupational negligence.

Dentist A is accused of failing to fulfill the medical duty of care regarding the death of a female patient in her 70s who died while undergoing dental implant surgery on December 30 of last year.

The dental clinic reportedly administered narcotic sedatives and local anesthetics during the deceased patient's treatment.

Another fatal incident occurred at the same clinic on August 3, when a patient undergoing an implant procedure died.

The Gangnam Police Station had initially investigated the cases, but the cases were later transferred to the Metropolitan Investigation Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.

Gangnam District, where the clinic is located, conducted a joint inspection with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on August 18 of this year after the fatal incident came to light, checking the handling and storage of medical narcotics, the creation and retention of medical records, medical licenses and qualifications, and facility standards.

However, Gangnam District stated that no particular violations were found.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.