Two Die at One Implant Dental Clinic in 8 Months; Gangnam District Office Notified via News

Two patients have died at a major dental clinic in Seoul's Gangnam district within an eight-month span after undergoing implant procedures. The incidents have raised concerns, particularly as the local Gangnam District Office reportedly learned of both fatalities belatedly through media coverage. The first death occurred on December 30 last year, and the second on May 3 of this year. Both patients reportedly received narcotic sedatives and local anesthetics during their treatment. The clinic is said to have used these substances in the treatment process for the deceased patients. The Gangnam District Office acknowledged in a press release that it was not separately notified of the initial incident. It stated that it first became aware of the first accident through media reports on January 26. Following this, the clinic was included in a planned inspection of dental institutions frequently using medical narcotics, conducted jointly with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in February. The office indicated it was informed of the second death through media reports on May 14.