Clinic run by dentist responsible for death of 8 patients sealed

TIRUPPATTUR: The Tiruppattur district officials from the health, revenue and police departments on Tuesday sealed a dental clinic run by a dentist, who was held responsible for the death of eight patients after they underwent treatment in his clinic in 2023.

The dentist identified as Arivazhagan owned V D S Clinic in 2023. Eight patients, who underwent treatment at the clinic died over a period of six months. Investigations by the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Public Health and the Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, revealed that the clinic had reused single-use medical equipment on multiple patients and adopted unsterile dental practices and thus infecting them, leading to their deaths.

The dentist, however, changed the name of his clinic to ‘Arivu Hospital’ and continued to treat patients. A team led by joint director (health) Dr V Gnanameenakshi, raided the hospital after receiving a tip-off. The district officials sent a notice to the dentist Arivazhagan, demanding an explanation within three days after they found that the clinic had changed its name and continued to operate under a new identity.

The notice also warned that legal action would be taken if a response was not provided. The officials sealed the hospital on Tuesday as the dentist’s reply was not satisfactory. “We inspected the dental clinic after the deaths of eight patients. A show-cause notice was sent to the dentist, but his explanation was not acceptable. Therefore, the clinic has now been sealed. We have also reported the matter to the Dental Council and recommended further appropriate action,” Gnanameenakshi told a section of media people.