title: The importance of early intervention in the treatment of dental infection.
abstract: With recent reports of increasing hospital admissions relating to dental infection, the authors believe it is time to re-visit the importance of its effective early treatment. A series of three cases is used to illustrate the potentially life-threatening progression of what, in the early stages, is an easily treatable condition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The principles of effective management of dental infection are highlighted in the first instance and then indications for specialist maxillofacial referral are discussed.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Paterson
authors.forename: Elizabeth Hannah
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Nichols
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Boyd
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000150:complications; D018450:Disease Progression; D005491:Focal Infection, Dental / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008158:Ludwig's Angina / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000473:pathology; D010483:Periapical Diseases / Q000150:complications; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000209:etiology; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013364:Submandibular Gland Diseases / Q000150:complications; D013492:Suppuration