title: Management of dental infections by medical practitioners.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with dental infections frequently present to primary care practitioners such as emergency physicians or general practitioners. It is important for these healthcare professionals to understand how to assess and treat such conditions, including when to refer and to whom.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article aims to cover basic principles of managing patients with dental infections who present to emergency departments or general practice surgeries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maxillofacial surgeons frequently see serious cases of facial and neck infections that can easily be prevented if appropriately managed early.
authors.affiliation: MBBS, BSc, Principal House Officer in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Gold Coast University Hospital, Brisbane, QLD.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Beech
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Goh
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lynham
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001315:Australia; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003813:Dentistry; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D058006:General Practice; D006801:Humans; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014081:Tooth Extraction
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents