Man dies from infected tooth

South Australian Coroner Mark Johns has reminded people "that it is most unwise to continue to ignore signs of dental infection over a prolonged period". His warning was included in his finding.

Mr Salmon had visited the QEH's emergency department on May 26 2002 complaining of toothache. Staff give him pain killers and referred him to the RAH Dental Hospital. He returned to the QEH in June and July with ongoing pain, telling staff he had been booked for public dental surgery but no appointment had been made. Mr Salmon had the infected tooth removed by the private practice dentist two days before his death. Mr Marks said he did not know why earlier appointments arranged at the RAH dental clinic did not result in the extraction of the tooth and why it was ultimately extracted by a private practice dentists.

The following day Mr Salmon's face and neck became swollen and he was taken to the QEH by his mother, Mrs Dianne Mustard, where medical staff diagnosed Ludwig's angina. The following day Mrs Mustard returned to the QEH and was asked if she could drive her son to the RAH "because ambulances were being reserved for emergencies". She was not given his medical notes to take to the Royal Adelaide Hospital

Emergency surgery was performed on Mr Salmon within hours of his arrival but he died a short time later.

Mr Marks called on the QEH to ensure that patients being transferred - whether by ambulance or private vehicle - were accompanied by their medical documents.