최근 치과소송의 유형별 특성과 연령대별 분석: 2017-2024년 판례를 중심으로*

This study examines the characteristics and legal issues of dental malpractice lawsuits by age group from 2017 to 2024, after the duty to explain established in Article 24(2) of the Medical Act. A total of 61 cases were analyzed to investigate the types of procedures involved, compensation amounts, and age-specific trends. Implant-related lawsuits comprised 49.2% of the cases, followed by tooth extractions (27.9%) and orthodontic treatments (16.4%). Compensation amounts ranged from 300,000 KRW to 210,842,777 KRW, with distinct patterns observed across different age groups. Cases in individuals in their 20s and 30s predominantly involved orthodontic treatment and wisdom tooth extractions, while cases in the 40s and 50s focused on implants and general extractions. Lawsuits involving individuals aged 60 and above often highlighted complications related to underlying health conditions. Notably, violations of informed consent were identified in 27.9% of cases, underscoring the need for age-specific consent standards. Based on these findings, we propose institutional improvements, including tailored medical services by age group, enhanced mediation mechanisms for medical disputes, the establishment of legal guidelines to prevent medical accidents, and the development of robust medical information management systems.