A man who took his own life was suffering from depression after a failed dental procedure in Turkey left him without any teeth, an inquest has heard.
Pawel Bukowski, a 48-year-old forklift driver, had travelled to a private clinic in the country in January 2025 to have his teeth replaced after suffering from periodontal disease. Norfolk coroner's court heard on Monday how Bukowski, a married father of three originally from Poland, had expected to have temporary dentures fitted but was instead told he would have to wait six months before returning for implants.
His wife, Daria Bukowska, told the inquest: 'He lost all hope that things could improve. Despite all our efforts to support him, we were ultimately unable to save him.' The hearing was told that Bukowski suffered from poor mental health after returning to the UK, made worse by financial concerns, difficulty eating, and heavy drinking.
Bukowska described her husband as someone who 'always took care of himself' and said the clinic's decision not to fit replacement teeth for six months 'was emotionally devastating'. Bukowski's mental health deteriorated rapidly, and on 24 April he was admitted to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital with 'strong suicidal ideation', but it was decided he did not require psychiatric admission. Four days later, on 28 April 2025, he was found dead at his home.
Norfolk area coroner Johanna Thompson recorded a suicide verdict and said an investigation had identified 'several lessons' to be learned. Bukowska criticised the care her husband received, saying his problems were 'overlooked at every chance' and that a lack of support and refusal to give medication for alcohol withdrawal contributed to his death.
