ArticleBMC oral health2025
Impact of Covid-19 on the incidence and severity of odontogenic infections in Fiji islands: a multicenter hospital-based retrospective study.
Article in BMC oral health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundSevere odontogenic infections (OIs), often associated with untreated dental caries, can lead to life-threatening complications. In Fiji, dental caries is highly prevalent, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, limited access to dental care may contributed to the progression of untreated lesions, potentially resulting in an increased number of severe OI cases. However, there is a lack of evidence from Fiji on this issue. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the presentation of patients with OIs.
methodsA retrospective, multicenter hospital-based study was conducted in Fiji, involving 260 participants who presented with odontogenic infections (OIs) during two time periods: pre-COVID-19 (March 2019 to February 2020) and during COVID-19 (March 2020 to February 2021). Collected variables included patient demographics, clinical presentation, etiological factors, and admission status. Data were analyzed using SPSS, with descriptive statistics and association tests conducted at a significance level of 0.05.
resultsNo statistically significant difference in the overall number of patients presenting with OIs was observed during the COVID-19 period. A higher proportion of cases occurred in patients under 30 years of age (62.8%), among the i-Taukei ethnic group (69.2%), and those residing in urban areas (48.1%), with a nearly equal distribution between males and females. The majority of cases were managed as outpatients (60.4%). Most infections involved a single fascial space and presented with a single clinical sign or symptom (76.9%). Dental caries was identified as the most common cause of infection (90.4%). While CWM Hospital and Lautoka Hospital reported a reduction in patient numbers (9.7% and 25%, respectively), Labasa Hospital recorded a significant increase in cases (34.7%, p < 0.001).
conclusionThere was no evidence of a change in the prevalence, admission rates, or severity of odontogenic infections (OIs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a significant regional variation in patient distribution was observed, with Labasa Hospital experiencing a notable increase in cases, attributed to the absence of lockdown measures and COVID-related restrictions in that region.
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