Management of odontogenic infection at a district general hospital

Introduction Severe odontogenic infections require hospital admission for antimicrobial chemotherapy and/or surgical management. They are usually preventable by regular dental attendance, and represent a significant economic cost to patient, hospital and society. Aims To review the presentation, management, and demographics of odontogenic infection at a District General Hospital. Methods Retrospective analysis of 100 consecutive patients admitted under the care of the department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at the Royal Surrey County Hospital. Results Of 100 patients, the male:female ratio was 54:46 with a mean age of 36 years and mean length of stay (LOS) of 2.38 nights. Twenty-nine percent received no treatment prior to admission. Age, male gender and multiple space infection were associated with increased LOS. Diabetes, smoking and treatment prior to admission did not influence LOS significantly. Discussion and conclusion Aggressive management of odontogenic infection should be considered for older, male patients with multiple space involvement. Patients in this study stayed 238 nights in hospital. Assuming an average bed cost of 400 pound per night, this incurs a cost of 95,200 pound to the NHS in this small study for an often preventable condition. The implications for the greater NHS are likely to be very significant.