An inquest has revealed that a man who took his own life had been battling depression following an unsuccessful dental procedure in Turkey that left him without teeth. Pawel Bukowski, a 48-year-old forklift operator and father of three from Poland, traveled to a private clinic in January 2025 to receive dental implants due to periodontal disease, a chronic infection that damages gums and can lead to tooth loss.

During the proceedings at the Norfolk coroner’s court on Monday, it was disclosed that Bukowski had anticipated receiving temporary dentures to replace the teeth that were extracted. However, he was informed that he would not receive any prosthetics and would have to wait six months for the new implants to be installed.

Daria Bukowska, Bukowski’s wife, expressed during 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 court learned that Bukowski’s mental health worsened upon his return to the UK, exacerbated by worries about the unexpected costs of what he perceived as a failed procedure, difficulties in eating without teeth, and increased alcohol consumption.

Bukowska described her husband as someone who was always attentive to his health and appearance, emphasizing that the clinic’s decision to delay fitting him with replacements for six months was “emotionally devastating.” She noted, “He was deeply broken emotionally; losing his teeth had destroyed his self-confidence and sense of hope. Despite our constant support from me and his daughters, he was slipping away from us.”

According to his wife, Bukowski’s mental state deteriorated quickly. On April 24, he contacted emergency services and was subsequently admitted to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, where a senior clinician observed that he exhibited “strong suicidal ideation.” However, it was determined that he did not require psychiatric hospitalization. Tragically, just four days later, on April 28, 2025, he was found dead at his residence.

Norfolk area coroner Johanna Thompson classified Bukowski’s death as a suicide and noted that an investigation had revealed “several lessons” to be learned, highlighting that there were factors influencing the care Bukowski received. Bukowska criticized the treatment her husband received, stating that his issues were “overlooked at every chance,” and pointed out that the lack of support and refusal to provide medication for his alcohol withdrawal symptoms contributed to his demise.