Impact of Covid-19 on the incidence and severity of odontogenic infections in Fiji islands: a multicenter hospital-based retrospective study

Tiim, Kantara and Nand, Meenal and Mohammadnezhad, Masoud and Khan, Sabiha (2025) Impact of Covid-19 on the incidence and severity of odontogenic infections in Fiji islands: a multicenter hospital-based retrospective study. BMC Oral Health, 25 (1). ISSN 1472-6831

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Abstract

Background

Severe 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.

Methods

A 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.

Results

No 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).

Conclusion

There 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.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.1186/s12903-025-07088-7
Dates:	Date Event 29 September 2025 Accepted 22 October 2025 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Odontogenic infection, Clinical presentation, COVID-19, Pandemic, Impact
Subjects:	CAH02 - subjects allied to medicine > CAH02-06 - allied health > CAH02-06-01 - health sciences (non-specific)
Divisions:	Nursing and Midwifery > Adult Nursing
Depositing User:	Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited:	24 Oct 2025 15:01
Last Modified:	24 Oct 2025 15:01
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/16695

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