Man bleeds to death after dentist extracts 3 teeth

HUBBALLI: Abdul Khader Bagalkot bled to death after dentist Dr Veeresh Magalad allegedly extracted three of his teeth. The doctor, however, refuted the allegation of medical negligence.
According to a police complaint l odged by Khader's brother Abdul Razak, the patient was taken to Dr Malagad's Ratna Dental Clinic here for treatment for tooth pain on December 8. The dentist allegedly extracted three teeth. After the extraction, Khader suffered severe bleeding in the mouth and was admitted to Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) on December 9.

The complainant alleged that the dentist visited the patient at KIMS on December 11 and allegedly got the patient's thumb impression on a letter even though the patient was in a coma. The letter allegedly stated that the dentist was not responsible for the patient's condition. He allegedly paid Rs 10,000 to the patient on compassionate grounds.

Khader's relatives said he died of exce ssive bleeding at KIMS on Sunday and filed a case against the dentist at the police station. KIMS director Dr D D Bant said Khader was in a coma when he was brought to the hospital. "He was treated in the ICU. We could have saved him if he had been brought two days earlier. The cause of death will be revealed only after postmortem," he said.

Dr Magalad said: "It's said the patient bled a lot but his family did not inform me about it. They told me after three days that he had been bleeding and admitted to KIMS. After the patient was admitted, a person claimed to be an advocate tried to extort money from me. When I went to the hospital, Khader's relatives said they are poor and sought financial assistance. On humanitarian grounds, I gave Rs 10,000 and took a statement from Khader."

Asked about the allegation that Khader's thumb impression was taken when he was in a coma, Dr Magalad said the patient was awake. "How would KIMS allow us to take a thumb impression if the patient was in a coma or in the ICU?"