A teenager died of a tooth abscess because he was scared of going to the dentist, an inquest heard.

Steven Kinsella, 16, had a chronic jaw infection which developed into meningitis.

The Bradford hearing was told that he had initially received dental treatment for the condition but then missed a number of follow-up appointments.

Steven, of Osterley Grove, Greengates, admitted himself to Bradford Royal Infirmary complaining of feeling unwell on April 10 this year.

His condition deteriorated and he was transferred to Leeds General Infirmary where he died the next day. Giving evidence at the inquest yesterday, Steven's father, William Irving, said his son had never liked going to the dentists.

"At the age of 12 a dentist had cut his gum and he had been scared ever since," he said.

Mr Irving said that Steven had first suffered the abscess last December and visited the Wakefield Road Dental Practice, Bradford, where he was prescribed penicillin by dentist Dr Saad Chaudhry.

"When the antibiotics did not work he went back for more," said Mr Irving.

"This time they seemed to work and Steven cancelled the appointment he had made to go back to the dentist."

Pathologist Professor Christopher Milroy, who carried out a post-mortem examination, said Steven had a long history of problems with his teeth.

"His death was caused by a chronic infection of his jaw, if he had had dental treatment it is likely that his death could have been avoided," he said.

"A collection of puss from the abscess had travelled into his sinuses and perforated through the bone in the front of his head. It then turned to meningitis."

Dentist Dr Chaudhry told the hearing that Steven first attended his practice in July 2003 for an assessment.

He said he had taken an X-ray of Steven's mouth and identified that root canal treatment might be required.

"The general state of Steven's dental health was fairly poor," said Dr Chaudhry.

"I made an appointment for two weeks' time for root canal treatment and a full examination of the rest of his mouth but Steven did not attend this appointment."

The next appointment Steven made with his dental practice was on December 24. This time he was seen by another dentist Dr Steven Isaacs who prescribed antibiotics and told him to return in a fortnight.

Dr Chaudhry said he did not attend the scheduled appointment again and the next time he saw Steven was on March 4.

"We did not see Steven on this occasion because the practice was too busy. Instead we issued him with antibiotics," he said.

Dr Chaudhry said Steven was told to make another appointment to see the dentist at that time and an appointment was made for later that month but was not kept and a further appointment was cancelled in April.

"We could have improved his dental health if he had turned up for the appointments," said Dr Chaudhry.

Recording a verdict of death by natural causes, Assistant Deputy Coroner Dr James Adeley said: "He had a series of dental problems from the age of 12."

After the hearing a British Dental Association spokesman said: "Looking after your oral health is incredibly important but can also be very simple. By brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing and visiting your dentist regularly you can ensure that your mouth stays healthy."

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