According to ABC News, 24-year-old Kyle Willis died this past week due to an untreated tooth infection. Two weeks ago, dentist told Willis that a painful wisdom tooth needed to be extracted. Unable to afford the extraction without employment or insurance, Willis passed on the procedure. After visiting the ER, Willis was prescribed antibiotics and pain medications but was unable to afford both. He took the pain medications, but the infection soon spread to his brain and he died last Wednesday.
Willis’ case echoes the circumstances surrounding the death of 12-year-old Deamonte Driver in 2007 from a tooth infection after his mother was unable to secure affordable dental care for him in time.
According to NBC affiliate WLWT, Willis leaves behind a six-year-old daughter.
