Dental clinic that led to death of eight patients in Tamil Nadu’s Vaniyambadi shut down

Private dental clinic in Vaniyambadi closed due to unsterile practices linked to deaths, sparking investigation by health authorities.

The health department officials of Tirupattur district closed down a private dental clinic in Vaniyambadi town on Tuesday (June 3, 2025) after the clinic’s explanation to district health authorities on its unsterile dental practices, that allegedly led to death of eight patients who got treated there in May 2023, was found “unsatisfactory”.

Tirupattur Collector K. Sivasoundaravalli ordered the closure of the clinic after the district health authorities were not satisfied with the response given by the clinic’s management to its show cause notice over the allegations. Health officials led by V. Gnana Meenakshi, Tirupattur Joint Director of Medical and Rural Health Services (JDHS), sealed the clinic.

The notice was issued by the Joint Director of Health and JDHS on Monday, seeking the clinic’s explanation to the joint study led by ICMR that blamed the clinic’s unsterile dental practices for the deaths two years ago. “They [clinic authorities] have to approach the Tamil Nadu Dental Council to get clearance for functioning. Till then, the clinic will remain closed,” Collector Ms. Sivasoundaravalli told The Hindu. 

The Collector’s action comes in the wake of a study done jointly by Christian Medical College in Vellore, Indian Council of Medical Research - National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE) and Tamil Nadu Directorate of Public Health (DPH). According to the study, unsterile surgical instrument was used to open a saline bottle at the clinic. Reuse of the bottle’s contents had led to at least 10 people contracting neuromelioidosis — a bacterial infection of the brain — which allegedly led to the death of eight patients, who got treated there, the study said.

Following the publication of the study, a four-member health team led by Ms. Gnana Meenakshi inspected the facility to assess the existing condition and medical procedures followed there on May 30. The team found that the clinic had slightly changed its nomenclature and was located a little away from its previous premises. Later, the team submitted a status report to the Collector.

Meanwhile, Tirupattur Superintendent of Police Shreya Gupta has tasked special teams to investigate cases filed against the clinic by family members of deceased patients. The probe is underway. 

Earlier, in a press release, CMC Vellore said that during 2022-2023, there were frequent admissions of patients with brainstem syndrome at the hospital. Among 21 cases identified, 10 had undergone dental procedures. The dental clinic was investigated to identify the source of contamination, and the bacteria was isolated from an in-use saline bottle. “The outbreak was controlled with 10 cases by active intervention of the district government health authorities,” the statement said.