Analysis Report

Haruplant Dental Clinic

In-depth Analysis of Representative Director Byun Sung-man

Digital Dentistry One-Day Treatment Gangnam Landmark

Executive Summary

01

Large-scale Digital Operations

Haruplant stands out with its extensive facilities and a strong emphasis on advanced digital dentistry, optimizing patient care and efficiency.

02

"One-Day" Treatment Philosophy

The clinic champions a unique "One-Day" treatment model, made possible by an expansive in-house digital laboratory for rapid prosthetic fabrication.

03

Experienced Leadership

Led by Representative Director Byun Sung-man, an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon with over 25 years of clinical expertise.

04

Aggressive Market Positioning

Demonstrated by securing Gangnam Station's sub-naming rights with a record-breaking bid, signaling strong financial capacity and marketing ambition.

Leadership Profile

Representative Director Byun Sung-man

Dr. Byun Sung-man, the clinic's founder and representative, boasts over 25 years of clinical experience, specializing in complex implantology.

Academic & Professional Background

  • Graduated from Seoul National University College of Dentistry.
  • Completed internship at Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital (2000–2002).
  • Former Representative Director of Seoul With Dental Clinic (2005–2023).

Clinical Philosophy & Specialization

  • "Top-2" Implant Concept: Advocates for maintaining 2mm alveolar bone thickness around implant platforms to prevent peri-implantitis.
  • Non-Incision Implants (MyQ): Holds the global record for MyQ implant procedures, serving as a clinical speaker and research director for the system.
  • High-Volume Experience: Involved in high-difficulty cases, including full-arch restorations, contributing to the clinic's cumulative 140,000+ implant placements.

Academic & Industry Affiliations

  • Straumann: Clinical Advisory Doctor.
  • Osstem Implant: Research Advisory Doctor and Faculty.
  • MegaGen Implant: Clinical Research Institution Director.
  • Member of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Implantology.

Co-Leadership: Dr. Kang Min-ji

Dr. Kang Min-ji, a board-certified prosthodontist, complements Dr. Byun's surgical focus by leading the clinic's aesthetic and restorative departments.

  • Graduate of Seoul National University College of Dentistry; Board-certified Prosthodontist.
  • Only VITA Zahnfabrik (Germany) Asia-Pacific Speaker in Seoul, specializing in ceramic materials.
  • Leads the "Harunate" (laminate/veneer) center and aesthetic prosthetics department.

Collaborative Medical System

The clinic operates with a multidisciplinary team of 12-15 doctors, including specialists in conservative dentistry, orthodontics, and oral surgery, ensuring comprehensive internal referrals and treatment planning.

Institutional Profile: Haruplant Dental Clinic

Location and Scale

Haruplant Dental Clinic is strategically located in Seocho-gu, Seoul, occupying five floors (6th through 10th) of the DS Tower, directly adjacent to Gangnam Station Exit 10. This prime location is one of South Korea's most competitive medical and commercial hubs. Spanning approximately 700 *pyeong* (roughly 2,314 square meters), its scale is comparable to university dental hospitals, allowing for specialized clinical centers to optimize patient flow and infection control.

Infrastructure and Floor Plan

The clinic's vertical integration design streamlines the entire patient journey from consultation to surgery and recovery within a single building. Each floor serves a distinct function:

  • 6th Floor (Customer Exclusive Cafe): A dedicated lounge with complimentary beverages and massage chairs, designed to ease dental anxiety.
  • 7th Floor (Implant Operation Center 2): Six independent surgical suites ensuring privacy and sterility for implant procedures.
  • 8th Floor (Implant Operation Center 1): The main surgical floor with 14 dental chairs and sterile operating rooms, handling high-difficulty cases and full-mouth reconstructions.
  • 9th Floor (Implant Prosthetics & Aesthetic Center): Focuses on the restorative phase of implants and cosmetic dentistry (Harunate), serving as the reception for aesthetic patients.
  • 10th Floor (Digital Lab & Orthodontics): Houses the cutting-edge in-house digital dental laboratory and orthodontic center, enabling rapid prosthetic fabrication.

In-House Digital Laboratory

A key differentiator, the large-scale internal laboratory on the 10th floor is staffed by approximately 20 skilled dental technicians. Utilizing CAD/CAM systems and 3D scanners, this facility designs and manufactures prosthetics on-site. This infrastructure is vital to their "Haru" (One Day) treatment promise, minimizing delays by eliminating the need for external lab outsourcing.

Clinical Methodologies & Major Procedures

Implantology

  • One-Day Implant: Fixture and temporary/final prosthesis placement on the same day, thanks to the in-house lab.
  • Non-Incision (Flapless) Surgery: Utilizes MyQ system and digital guides for reduced bleeding, swelling, and faster recovery.
  • Full-Mouth & All-on-X: Specialized immediate loading techniques for edentulous patients to quickly restore function.

Aesthetic Dentistry: "Harunate"

  • Concept: Proprietary branding for laminate veneer services, focusing on "Zero-Prep" or minimal tooth structure preparation.
  • Material Quality: Emphasis on high-quality ceramic materials, backed by VITA Zahnfabrik certified partnership.
  • Digital Design: Patients can visualize outcomes with 2D/3D/4D smile design simulations.

General and Preventive Care

  • Provides comprehensive general dental services, including endodontics (root canals), periodontal therapy, and extractions.
  • Focuses on "patient-friendly" approaches to preserve natural teeth with non-traumatic techniques.

Reputation and Analysis

Patient Sentiment and Reviews

Positive Aspects:

  • Efficiency: Patients highly value the speed of treatment and the convenience of the one-stop system.
  • Facilities: The comfortable physical environment, especially the dedicated cafe and spacious waiting areas, receives high praise.
  • Technical Skill: Many reviews highlight successful outcomes in complex cases, including re-surgeries.

Negative/Mixed Aspects:

  • "Factory" Feel: Some feedback suggests a depersonalized experience due to the clinic's large scale.
  • Wait Times: High patient volume can lead to waiting times despite the appointment system.
  • Aggressive Marketing: The extensive advertising draws both brand awareness and skepticism regarding commercialization.

Employee Sentiment & Public Perception

Employee Sentiment (JobPlanet):

Internal reviews paint a challenging picture, common in high-volume clinics.

  • Overall Rating: Low 2.2/5.
  • Pros: Salary and benefits are rated relatively higher (3.7/5).
  • Cons: "Work-Life Balance" (2.3/5) and "Management" (1.7/5) are rated poorly, citing high workload and a demanding atmosphere driven by the "One-Day" promise.

Controversy and Public Perception:

The record-breaking 1.1 billion KRW bid for Gangnam Station naming rights sparked public debate regarding the commercialization of public infrastructure and the profitability of private medical practices. While enhancing the clinic's fame, it also underscored the intense financial competition in the Korean medical sector.

Conclusion

Haruplant Dental Clinic exemplifies the "corporate-scale" private dental practice model in South Korea. Under Dr. Byun Sung-man’s leadership, it has effectively leveraged advanced technology (digital dentistry), strategic location (Gangnam), and aggressive capital investment (marketing and infrastructure) to secure a significant market share. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the clinic's operations, leadership, and market standing as of late 2024 and early 2025.

Key Takeaways

1. Clinical Competence

Backed by Dr. Byun’s "Top-2" implant philosophy and Dr. Kang’s VITA-certified aesthetic protocols, ensuring high-quality specialized care.

2. Operational Efficiency

The in-house digital lab is the linchpin of their business model, enabling the distinct "Haru" (One Day) service for rapid treatment delivery.

3. Market Aggression

The record-breaking Gangnam Station bid illustrates a strategy focused on overwhelming brand visibility and market dominance.

4. Operational Challenges

The primary challenge remains balancing the high-throughput business model with personalized patient care and ensuring internal staff satisfaction.