Vietnamese dentist arrested after beating up patient who complained about pain from braces

A dentist in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, has been arrested for assaulting her patient in the clinic she owned.

The patient reportedly went to the Tuyet Chinh Dental Clinic in Hạnh Thông Ward and complained about painful complications from her braces treatment.

Việt Nam News reported on Sep. 11 that Nguyễn Thị Tuyết Chinh was taken into custody on charges of "causing public disorder".

In light of the incident, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health has shut the clinic down.

Braces complaint

The victim, Tien Thao, complained that in 2021, she paid 22 million Vietnamese Dong (S$1,078) for braces at Chinh's clinic.

The 31-year-old claimed that she suffered severe pain when the braces were removed in August 2025. Thao added that she was later diagnosed with bone damage at another facility.

When she returned to the clinic to demand answers, the 40-year-old Chinh apparently flew into a rage.

Viral video of assault

The assault was caught on camera by Thao's friend, showing Chinh grabbing a metal rod and wielding it against the patient.

Chinh then dragged Thao onto the ground, as the latter attempted to film the assault with her phone.

Chinh repeatedly struck and choked Thao while hurling insults at her.

In the video, Chinh could be seen snatching Thao's phone away and throwing it.

She also smashed Thao's glasses, according to VnExpress International.

The phone and glasses were reportedly worth about 20 million Vietnamese Dong (S$980).

Chihn was subsequently arrested.

Shady clinic practices

The clinic was later found to have several other legal violations, Việt Nam News reported.

When authorities raided the clinic on Sep. 3, they found that the clinic lacked the proper facilities, provided services beyond the scope of its license, had misleading advertising.

The clinic also failed to maintain patient records accurately.

During the raid, three of the clinic's employees were unable to show that they had valid licences.

Investigation

In response to the incident, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health's director Tang Chi Thuong said that it "strongly condemns the actions" of Chinh.

Department officials have also called on Thao who is being treated for neck injuries.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident.

Top photos via Phuong Uyen