Fatal mistake by man with toothache

TOOTHACHE developed into a deadly infection for a father-of-five who refused to see a doctor.

Ian Derkin (42) had been in reasonable health until the dental problem in March, an Oldham inquest heard.

He put up with the pain but visited his dentist a few days later, after the tooth fell out and an ulcer developed. After treatment he suffered a sore throat and more ulcers and became feverish.

Mr Derkin, of Lees New Road, Holts, still went to work as a team-leader at Remploy but when the problem got worse, he refused to see a doctor at the request of his dentist and partner. Mr Derkin, who had a drink problem, instead went to bed.

When partner Adele Riley checked on him later he was unconscious and she performed CPR while waiting for an ambulance. But he died shortly after reaching hospital.

Tests showed his body contained streptococcus bacteria — which can cause skin, airway or dental infections and spread quickly through the body.

Pathologist Dr Asme Naveed said this was causing multi-organ failure but Mr Derkin died from toxic shock syndrome and septicaemia. Liver problems because of his drinking had also meant his body struggled to fight off the infection. He was only mildly intoxicated.

She said the infection was likely to have started in the mouth and could have been treated by antibiotics if he had gone to hospital.

Recording a verdict of natural causes, assistant coroner Barrie Williams said: “I believe the infection in the mouth had spread and without antibiotics, that could have resulted in a different outcome, his body went into shock.”