A private dental clinic in India’s eastern state of Jharkhand has been sealed after a woman died following a tooth extraction allegedly performed by an unqualified practitioner, raising fresh concerns over unregulated healthcare practices.
The incident occurred in Hariharganj town in Palamu district. The patient, a resident of Kutumba in neighbouring Bihar, had visited the clinic with her husband seeking treatment for a cavity and swollen gums.
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According to Deobrat Poddar, officer in charge of the Hariharganj police station, the woman underwent a dental procedure at the clinic. Shortly afterwards, her condition deteriorated.
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The clinic owner reportedly left the premises, prompting the woman’s husband to take her to the Hariharganj Community Health Centre, where doctors declared her dead.
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Following a complaint filed by the victim’s family, local authorities sealed the clinic in the presence of a magistrate.
Palamu civil surgeon Dr Anil Kumar Srivastava said excessive bleeding and shock were likely causes of death. He also revealed that the clinic had previously been sealed for operating without registration under the Clinical Establishments Act.
“The dentist had submitted an affidavit claiming a qualified practitioner would be appointed and paid a fine to reopen,” Srivastava said. “However, norms appear to have been violated again, with fatal consequences.”
The case highlights ongoing concerns in India over illegal medical practices and inadequate oversight. Similar incidents have surfaced in recent years, including a December 2025 case in Uttar Pradesh’s Barabanki district, where a woman died after an unqualified individual attempted surgery while following a YouTube video.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the latest incident.