The Kenya Dental Association (KDA) has urged stronger regulation, frequent inspections, and public vigilance following the death of Amos Isoka, who passed away after a tooth extraction gone wrong in Kawangware.
The association warned that such incidents reveal the deadly risks of unlicensed practitioners operating freely within communities.
In a statement, KDA expressed its “deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Amos Isoka,” adding that it was “profoundly saddened by his death” and stands with the family during this difficult time.
The case, which was recently featured on Citizen TV, has reignited public concern over the dangers of healthcare quackery.
According to KDA, what should have been a routine dental procedure “turned into a life-threatening medical emergency, ultimately claiming a life,” as a result of substandard care, delays in following referral procedures, and treatment outside professional and regulatory standards.
Highlighting the fatal consequences, KDA stressed that “quackery in healthcare kills.” The association further explained that dental interventions, including extractions, are not minor procedures.
“When performed by untrained or unlicensed persons, they can result in severe infections, airway compromise, sepsis, permanent disability, or death,” it said.
KDA noted that dentistry is tightly regulated because patient safety depends on proper training, sterile conditions, accurate diagnosis, and adherence to referral systems.
The association also pointed out what it called “systemic regulatory complacency and enforcement gaps” that allow illegal clinics and unqualified practitioners to advertise services and operate openly.
The association warned that such lapses are not just policy violations, but can also lead to costly re-treatments, permanent harm, and loss of life. While KDA praised the prompt response by clinicians at Kenyatta National Hospital and the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), which led to the closure of illegal facilities, it emphasized that “reactive measures are not enough.”
The association called for proactive regulation, better funding for inspectors, and continuous collaboration among agencies.
Members of the public were urged to remain cautious, always checking that dentists and clinics are licensed and asking about the qualifications of anyone providing treatment.
“May his passing strengthen our collective resolve to ensure that no family has to endure such a preventable loss again,” KDA added.
Amos Isoka died on Wednesday evening at Kenyatta National Hospital, where he had been receiving care after developing severe swelling of the neck, tongue, and chest following a botched tooth extraction by a quack dentist in Kawangware.
