The Association Between Social Deprivation Dental Access and Cervicofacial Infections of Odontogenic Origin in Southeast London

Abstract Background Cervicofacial infections of odontogenic origin (CIOO) pose a significant public health issue, often requiring hospital admissions. However, the effects of socioeconomic deprivation and access to primary care dentistry are unclear. Methods This study analysed all CIOO admissions at King’s College Hospital from October 2020 to 2024, focusing on patients within the South East London Integrated Care Board boundary. Infection rates were evaluated against the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) and NHS dental access data at borough and LSOA levels. Statistical analyses included ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis tests, Spearman’s correlation, and Poisson regression. Results A total of 378 CIOO patients met the inclusion criteria. Infection rates were strongly correlated with higher socioeconomic deprivation (ρ = − 0.94, p < 0.001), with the most deprived areas displaying nearly twice the incidence compared to the least deprived (IRR = 1.95, p < 0.001). In contrast, dental access had no significant association with infection rates (IRR = 1.0, p = 0.915). Conclusions This study shows a consistent link between socioeconomic deprivation and CIOO incidence, emphasising the need for targeted interventions. The lack of correlation with dental access indicates that broader structural factors must improve alongside service provision to reduce the disease burden.