TY - JOUR
AU - Masood, Mohd
AB - BackgroundOdontogenic infections (OI) are a preventable disease commonly managed in a tertiary hospital setting. Prevention of severe infections and hospitalisation relies on timely access to primary dental care. This study outlines the pre-hospital treatment of patients presenting to hospital with OIs and the association between travel distance from the patients’ residence to a tertiary hospital oral and maxillofacial surgical (OMS) unit.MethodsThis study analysed patients who initially presented hospital with an OI. Patient demographics, pre-hospital treatment, and clinical markers of severity were recorded. The travel distance from the patient’s residence to the hospital was recorded in kilometers, along with any inter-hospital transfer via road/air ambulance.ResultsTwo hundred twenty-seven patients were included in this study, 17.2% required an inter-hospital transfer. Of these patients, 70.3% had prior treatment before hospitalisation, and antibiotics without source control was the most frequent treatment (83.1%). The mean travel distance for patients with more severe markers of infection significantly greater than patients with minor infections (p = < .001). Patients who required an inter-hospital transfer accounted for most cases with airway compromise requiring ICU admission.ConclusionThis study found that most patients presenting to hospital with an OI had received antibiotics alone as treatment before hospitalisation. The travel distance from a tertiary hospital with OMS services had a significant correlation to more severe infections. This has important public health implications for the allocation of preventative dental services, and patient access to OMS services.
TI - The association of travel distance and severity of odontogenic infections
JF - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
DO - 10.1007/s10006-022-01135-1
DA - 2024-03-01
UR - https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/springer-journals/the-association-of-travel-distance-and-severity-of-odontogenic-oSlxlC60c3
SP - 245
EP - 252
VL - 28
IS - 1
DP - DeepDyve
ER -