Impact of COVID-19 Outbreak and its Different Waves on Hospital Admissions for Odontogenic Infections: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

Purpose : Odontogenic infections, which originate from teeth or their surrounding structures, are prevalent in the head and neck regions. The COVID-19 pandemic has altered healthcare-seeking behaviors due to policies adapted to impede the spread of virus, potentially impacting the management and severity of odontogenic infections. This study aims to investigate changes in characteristics of patients admitted to the hospital suffering from odontogenic infections before and after the COVID-19 outbreak.Patients and Methods : A retrospective study was conducted on patients admitted to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Dankook University Hospital from March 2017 to February 2023. Patients were divided into two groups based on pre and post-COVID-19 outbreak (Group 1 and Group 2, respectively). Clinical parameters, treatment modalities were compared between groups. Additionally within Group 2, COVID-19 positive and negative patients were compared, and Group 2 was subdivide into five groups according to different waves of COVID-19 outbreak.Results : Following the COVID-19 outbreak, there was a significant increase in hospital admissions odontogenic infections. Group 2 exhibited higher severity scores, affected spaces, and surgical interventions compared to Group 1 patients. COVID-19 positive patients demonstrated elevated severity parameters. Subgroup analysis within Group 2 revealed the highest severity during the second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak.Conclusion : COVID-19 outbreak correlated with a rise in hospital admissions and severity of odontogenic infections. Thus, healthcare providers should anticipate changes in odontogenic infection patterns during pandemics and adapt management strategies accordingly.