Trends and Economic Burden of Odontogenic Infections in Peri-Urban Ghana

Severe odontogenic infections (OIs) are caused by dental caries, which have a sequelae of periodontal disease and periapical abscess. In clinical practice, there are sometimes sudden surges in odontogenic infections. Seasonal surges of dental emergencies have been documented with studies attributing these to public holidays when dental offices do not operate. The seasonal patterns however of OIs, be it rainy or dry season peaks of odontogenic infections, remain unexplored in the study area. The reasons behind such trends are not well understood either.

The study utilized a retrospective cross-sectional approach and a total population sampling technique to investigate 286 out of the 811 patients admitted to the Allied Ward of Sunyani Teaching Hospital (STH) from 2021 to 2025. Data were extracted from the Lightwave Health Information Management System and analyzed with IBM SPSS 27.

The average prevalence of odontogenic infections in Sunyani Teaching Hospital from January 2021 to January 2025 was 20 per 1000 patients, with higher rates in the wet season (179 cases; 62.6%). Cellulitis (103 cases; 36.0%) was the most common infection. Odontogenic infections have both direct and indirect costs, with the direct costs being more substantial. Comparing the four OIs primarily studied in this work, the total hospitalization cost for them varied.

Cellulitis was the most common odontogenic infection (OI) followed by abscess, Ludwig's angina and necrotizing fasciitis. Overall, the trend analysis reaffirms that the weight of OIs on health systems is noteworthy of appreciation. The treatment regimen adapted by STH underscores pragmatism in managing these infections in places with inadequate resources. OI have both direct and indirect costs, with the direct costs being more substantial.