Gangnam Leon Dental Clinic · Kim Young-sam Analysis Report

Executive Summary

Key Figure: Kim Young-sam

Rep. Director Kim Young-sam, known as a former comedian, is now an academic authority, a "dentist who teaches dentists," authoring textbooks and lecturing globally.

Clinical Strengths

The clinic boasts over 30,000 wisdom tooth extractions annually, specializing in high-difficulty cases and immediate placement implants. Leads in minimal-prep veneers via "Newtis."

Operational System

Over 10 specialists in various fields (Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Periodontics, etc.) provide university-hospital-level cooperative care, ensuring comprehensive treatment.

Unique Positioning

Beyond fame, it's a specialized institution with a university-level cooperative system and an overwhelming number of clinical cases, particularly in wisdom tooth extractions and implants.

Hospital Overview and Operational Philosophy

Basic Information and Location

Name: Gangnam Leon Dental Clinic
Location: 4th Floor, Daedong Building, 415 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul (1-3 minute walk from Gangnam Station Exit 10)
Scale: A large dental clinic with numerous medical staff (approx. 12 directors), including 3 specialists, and treatment staff.
Hours: Weekday night clinics (Mon, Tue, Thu) and Saturday clinics available to improve accessibility.

Founding Philosophy and Mission

Gangnam Leon Dental Clinic considers "maintaining and improving patients' oral health based on professional knowledge, technology, and continuous research" as its core value.

Beyond simple treatment, it is characterized as an "Education and Research-Centered Dental Clinic," running seminars and educational programs for dentists worldwide, fostering a virtuous cycle of clinical research and actual practice.

In-depth Analysis of Representative Director Kim Young-sam

Profile and Unique Career

Education:
- Graduated from Jeonju High School
- Graduated from Chonbuk National University School of Dentistry (DDS)
- Completed Master's and PhD in Dentistry at Chonbuk National University Graduate School
Entertainment Activities (Comedian to Dentist):
- Debuted as a KBS 16th open-recruitment comedian in 2001, active for ~3 years.
- Appeared in "Let's Study" and "Jjan-Jjan Theater."
- Stopped comedy around 2004 due to health and a pragmatic assessment of talent.
Return to Medical Field:
- Devoted himself to clinical research to break the prejudice of being a former comedian.
- Now established as a "Master of Wisdom Tooth Extraction and Implants" within the medical community.

Academic Activities and Publications

Major Publications:
- 『Easily, Quickly, and Safely Extracting Wisdom Teeth』 (2018, clinical know-how).
- 『Dr. Kim Young-sam's Atlas of Implants』 (Professional book on implant cases).
- 『Simple Immediate Implants』 (25 years of know-how, English version available).
- Popular Books: 『Why Do Teeth Decay?』, 『Dr. Anda's Easy Dental Treatment』.
Lecture Activities:
- Lectured to dentists in ~20 cities across 7-8 countries (USA, Italy, Mexico, China, Australia, Canada).
- Transfers extraction techniques and implant know-how globally.
Professorship:
- Served as adjunct professor at Chonbuk, Pusan, Yonsei University dental colleges.
- Currently an adjunct professor at Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences in Italy.

Medical Staff Composition and Cooperative System

Gangnam Leon Dental Clinic operates a university-hospital-style treatment system with 12 directors specializing in various departments, not a one-man system.

Name	Position/Specialty	Key Profile & Characteristics
Kim Young-sam	Representative Director (Implant, Wisdom Tooth)	DDS, PhD, Adjunct Prof. at Chonbuk/Yonsei Univ., Author of multiple clinical books
Pyeon Young-hoon	Rep. Director of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery	Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Specialist, Inha Univ. Hospital, High-difficulty surgery
Park Young-min	Rep. Director of Esthetic Prosthodontics	Integrated Dentistry Specialist, Master in Esthetic Dentistry (Univ. of Pisa, Italy), In charge of Newtis
Lee Ji-hye	Rep. Director of Periodontics	Periodontics Specialist, SNU Grad & Asan Medical Center, Gum treatment & surgery
Kim Eun-ju	Director of Orthodontics	Integrated Dentistry Specialist, SNU Grad, Invisalign Certified, Orthodontics exclusive
Jang Yu-ri	Director of Conservative Dentistry	Conservative Dentistry Specialist, Kyung Hee Univ. PhD completion, Root canal & Natural tooth preservation
Kim Min-ji	Director of Prosthodontics	Prosthodontics Specialist, Kyung Hee Univ. Adjunct Prof., Full mouth prosthetics & Implants
Kim Ji-hye	Director of Prosthodontics	Prosthodontics Specialist, Chosun Univ. PhD, Esthetic treatment & Prosthetics
Park Han-ik	Director of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery	Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Specialist, US Emory/Howard Univ. Grad, Asan Medical Center
Lee Sang-bu	Director	Graduated from Queen's University Belfast (UK), Holder of UK Dentist License
Kang Dong-gyun	Director	Integrated Dentistry Specialist, Holder of Japanese Dentist License

This configuration implies that wisdom tooth extraction (Oral Surgery), gum treatment (Periodontics), root canal treatment (Conservative Dentistry), prosthetics (Prosthodontics), and orthodontics (Orthodontics) can be performed in one place as a one-stop service, enabling complex high-difficulty treatments.

Major Procedures and Clinical Features

4.1 Wisdom Tooth Extraction

This is the most symbolic treatment subject of Gangnam Leon Dental Clinic.

Overwhelming Cases: Approximately 60 per day, and over 30,000 wisdom teeth extracted annually. This is a top-tier level for a single clinic in Korea.
Resolving High-Difficulty Cases: They actively accept patients referred from other clinics, such as those with fully impacted wisdom teeth known to require university hospital visits, wisdom teeth close to the nerve, and horizontal wisdom teeth.
Speed and Safety: Following the title of Director Kim Young-sam's book, they aim for 'Easy, Quick, and Safe' extraction. The hospital explains that fast extraction reduces the patient's mouth-opening time, contributing to minimizing TMJ pain and reducing swelling.

4.2 Implants

Immediate Implant: Specialized in the technique of placing implants simultaneously with extraction. This shortens the treatment period and is advantageous for preserving gum bone.
Expertise: Director Kim Young-sam is recognized for high expertise, serving as Osstem Implant Faculty and Dentis Implant Director, providing advice and education for implant manufacturers.

4.3 Newtis - Integrated Anterior Tooth Treatment

This is an aesthetic treatment solution independently branded by Gangnam Leon Dental Clinic.

Definition: An abbreviation for 'New Teeth Integrated Solution', referring to integrated treatment that avoids unnecessary tooth reduction and enhances the natural beauty of teeth.
Treatment Scope: Covers no-prep/minimal-prep veneers (Newtis Lami), resin treatment (diastema, microdontia, white spot treatment), and gum contouring.
Features: Operates an 'In-house Atelier' with an on-site lab and resident specialized technicians to precisely craft customized designs by hand. Equipped with a smile simulation system to predict the appearance after the procedure.

4.4 Other Treatments

Orthodontics: An Invisalign certified doctor resides to perform clear aligner therapy and partial orthodontics. They build trust by honestly providing information about side effects of orthodontic treatment through YouTube, etc.
Prevention & Management: Operates a 'Continuing Care' program for maintenance after treatment, emphasizing oral hygiene education and regular checkups.

Analysis of Reputation and Patient Responses

5.1 Positive Evaluations

Expertise and Speed: The most frequently mentioned aspect in patient reviews is Director Kim Young-sam's extraction speed and skill. Responses such as "It didn't hurt and was pulled really fast" and "Other clinics said they couldn't pull it, but it was solved here" are dominant.
Kindness & System: Despite being a large hospital, there are evaluations that the medical team and staff are kind, and the reservation and reception system is systematic.
Avoiding Overtreatment: They gain trust from patients by sharing a conscientious treatment philosophy through content such as 'How to choose a good dentist' and 'How to avoid overtreatment' on their YouTube channel.

5.2 Points to Consider (Potential Downsides)

Wait Time: As it is a very popular hospital with many patients, wait times may occur even with reservations. Actual reviews confirm that it takes some time from reception to consultation and extraction.
Difficulty in Reservation: Due to his fame, it may be difficult to book treatment with Representative Director Kim Young-sam at desired times. However, since multiple specialists reside, treatment through other directors may be relatively easier.

Conclusion and Implications

Gangnam Leon Dental Clinic and Representative Director Kim Young-sam are a successful case of overcoming the title of 'former celebrity' with the skills of a 'top clinical expert'.

1. Clinical Authority

Director Kim Young-sam holds a 'mentor-level' position teaching wisdom tooth extraction and implant surgery methods to dentists domestically and internationally, which is a core element guaranteeing the hospital's medical standards.

2. Systematized Treatment

Without relying solely on individual fame, the quality of treatment has been systematically leveled up through a cooperative system of 12 specialists in different departments and the operation of an in-house lab.

3. Differentiated Branding

They have established a clear hospital identity through overwhelming extraction cases, enough to be called a 'wisdom tooth factory', and the aesthetic treatment brand 'Newtis'.

Overall, Gangnam Leon Dental Clinic is analyzed as a top-tier medical institution providing university-hospital-level expertise with the accessibility of a local clinic for patients requiring high-difficulty wisdom tooth extractions or specialized implant and aesthetic prosthetic treatments.