The High Court has upheld a negligence ruling against a Community Oral Health Officer (COHO) and a health facility following a botched wisdom tooth extraction that caused severe injuries to a patient.
In the case Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team (AMURT) & Another v. Lucy Njeri Karanha, the court dismissed the appeal by AMURT Health Centre and the COHO, affirming that the patient suffered a fractured jaw, severed muscles and nerves, trismus, and prolonged disability due to the extraction procedure performed in March 2018.
The patient initially sought treatment for wisdom tooth pain at AMURT Health Centre, paying for consultation and extraction. Despite experiencing unbearable pain during the procedure and repeatedly asking for it to stop, the extraction continued. Her condition worsened with swelling, infection, and inability to open her mouth properly.
Following unsuccessful follow-ups at the facility, she was referred to Kenyatta National Hospital where imaging revealed significant jawbone damage and nerve injury. The injuries forced her to close her business and undergo extended treatment. The court awarded her KSh605,200 in damages.
Scope of Practice and Patient Safety Concerns
The ruling highlights the critical importance of health workers adhering to their authorized scope of practice. The second appellant, a Community Oral Health Officer, is a paraprofessional expected to work under dentist supervision. The judgment underscores the dangers of performing procedures beyond one’s competence or legal authority, especially complex wisdom tooth surgeries.
Dental experts emphasize that impacted or surgically difficult third molar extractions should be managed by dental surgeons or oral and maxillofacial specialists due to the procedure’s technical demands and risks, including nerve damage and jaw fractures.
Growing Menace of Quack Dentistry
This case is part of a broader public health concern about illegal dental practices in Kenya. Unqualified individuals continue to offer dental services in unlicensed settings such as homes, kiosks, and salons, often advertising low prices but lacking the necessary training and registration.
Reported illegal procedures include extractions, root canals, implants, orthodontics, and cosmetic treatments, many of which carry significant risks when performed by unqualified practitioners. The dental profession warns that such practices can lead to severe complications, permanent disability, and even death.
In January 2026, a similar tragedy occurred when Amos Isoka died following complications from an extraction performed by an unlicensed practitioner.
Calls for Regulatory Action
The judgment has renewed demands for stricter enforcement of licensing, supervision of Community Oral Health Officers, mandatory referrals for complex cases, and public education on identifying qualified dental providers.
Professional bodies urge patients to seek care only from registered, licensed professionals in authorized facilities to avoid preventable harm. They stress that patient safety depends on practitioners recognizing their limits and prioritizing care quality over convenience or profit.
The High Court ruling serves as a reminder that legal accountability accompanies the duty of care in healthcare, and it strengthens the push to eradicate quack dentistry in Kenya.
