Teenager died of infection after having tooth extracted

A TEENAGER died after contracting a bacterial infection following a tooth extraction, an inquest heard.

Daniel Elton, 18, was found collapsed at his home in Castle Gresley, Derbyshire, by his mother after being sent home by medics.

Derby Coroner’s Court heard Mr Elton had complained of feeling unwell for weeks following a visit to the dentist to have a tooth removed in April 2015 and had made several trips to see his GP. Tests were carried out, however endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart, was not detected.

Mr Elton visited the Delph Dental Practice in Swadlincote, Derbys, in March 2015. By May, having had his tooth extracted the previous month, he began to feel unwell. His weight dropped to seven stone, his urine was dark, he experienced pain in his ankle and tenderness at the side of his back.

Despite numerous appointments at Hartwood medical practice, Swadlincote, doctors were “baffled” by his deteriorating condition and he was sent to Burton Queen’s Hospital for tests.

Dr David Watmough, a consultant gastroenterologist, said he was asked to investigate Mr Elton’s abdominal pain. By October 2015, Mr Elton had become anaemic, found it difficult to breathe and had no energy.

Two days before his death, he was given a blood transfusion and his parents were told he was well enough to go home the next day. On Nov 7, he was found collapsed in the living room.

Dr Watmough confirmed he had “no doubt the dental extraction contributed to endocarditis”.

Before the hearing, Louise Pinder, the assistant coroner, said a health expert who conducted an investigation into Mr Elton’s death believed there was a connection between the tooth extraction and the fatal endocarditis.

The inquest continues.