A full inquest will probe whether the extraction of a tooth may have been a factor in the death of a 96-year-old man in Penrith.
Cockermouth Coroners’ Court heard on Thursday morning that George Harris, a retired university lecturer, died at the Coldsprings Park care home in Penrith, where he was a resident, on December 17.
Coroner Margaret Taylor said the matter had been referred to her office and an investigation launched on January 3.
“The reason for the referral to my office is that prior to his death Mr Harris had had a tooth extracted, on November 23,” said Ms Taylor as she formally opened an inquest into his death.
It was anticipated by a medical examiner that this may have been a factor in Mr Harris developing recurrent episodes of aspiration pneumonia — a lung infection.
Aspiration pneumonia had been offered as a proposed primary cause of death, along with Alzheimer’s/dementia and dental extraction; with a secondary cause of frailty of old age.
“As there may be an unnatural element to Mr Harris’ death it will be necessary for there to be an inquest,” concluded Ms Taylor.
She adjourned the hearing to a provisional conclusion date of June 10.
