Odisha 'dentist' slits own throat after patient dies, critical

BHUBANESWAR: A "dentist" slit his own throat in panic after a woman he had administered anaesthesia for extracting a tooth died in Bargarh town of western Odisha on Tuesday. While the condition of the "dentist" Subodh Sahu (40) is stated to be critical, the India Dental Association (IDA) said Sahu is a "quack" possessing no valid dental degree.


Quoting the complaint, police said one Labanga Sahu (35), a native of Banbaspali village near Bargarh town, had gone to Subodh’s clinic due to toothache. Subodh suggested removal of the affected tooth and administered her two injections. Labanga fell unconscious. Sensing trouble, and on Subodh’s suggestion, Labanga’s husband Saheba (40) shifted her to Bargarh district headquarters hospital where doctors declared her brought dead.

Bibhuti Bhusan Bhoi, inspector-in-charge of Bargarh Town police station, said moments after the woman’s death Subodh attempted to commit suicide by slashing her neck using a scalpel. His family brought him to the Bargarh district headquarters hospital. As his condition turned critical, the doctors referred him to the VSS Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Sambalpur. He continues to be critical, hospital sources said.

The IDA Mahanadi Branch Sambalpur, which has dentists from eight western Odisha districts as members, issued a statement saying Subodh has no valid dental or medical degree. "We checked all registered medical and dental professionals in the state. He is a fake practitioner," Nirmal Prakash Purohit, secretary of the IDA Mahandi branch told TOI.

Sources close to Subodh family said he had completed Bachelor of Dental and Oral Hygiene degree offered by a private institute in Bargarh. He had been practising for past around three years. The IDA said the degree is not recognised by Indian Dental Council for practising dentistry.
The police inspector said investigations are on to find out whether the Subodh had a valid degree or he was a quack. Depending on the findings, he may be booked under the Anti-quackery Act.

A doctor in Bargarh said the woman appears to have slipped into syncope (partial or complete loss of consciousness) after anaesthesia which is not very uncommon. In such a case, she should have been given the proper antidote immediately, which was not done.