The Loneliness Epidemic: Unveiling its Impact on Odontogenic Infections. A Retrospective Cohort Study

Area of Science:

• Oral Health Research
• Public Health
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Socioeconomic conditions and loneliness are increasingly recognized as significant factors influencing both oral and general health.
• Odontogenic infections (OIs) requiring hospitalization represent a severe manifestation of oral health issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between socioeconomic factors and the risk of hospitalization due to odontogenic infections (OIs).
• To explore the impact of sociodemographic and socioeconomic status on severe OIs requiring emergency dental care.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 2838 patients with emergency visits to an oral and maxillofacial unit.
• Data were linked with national statistics to assess socioeconomic factors and their correlation with OIs.
• Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were employed to determine predictors of hospitalization for OIs.

Main Results:

• 25% of patients with OIs required hospitalization.
• Single, divorced, or widowed marital status, rental living, lower education, and lower income were significantly associated with hospitalization.
• Logistic regression confirmed that being single/divorced/widowed (OR=1.406) and lowest income level (OR=1.418) predicted hospitalization for OIs.

Conclusions:

• Patients with OIs who were single, divorced, or widowed, or had lower income levels, were more likely to be hospitalized.
• Findings underscore the need for public health strategies to mitigate socioeconomic disparities and improve oral health.
• Addressing socioeconomic determinants is essential for reducing the burden of severe dental infections.