Early Establishment of a Dental Home Can Prevent Hospitalization

Research By: Patrick Ruck, DDS

Post Date: June 15, 2025 | Publish Date: June 2025

Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics | Top Scientific Achievement

A new study from Cincinnati Children’s underscores the vital role of early, consistent dental care in preventing serious infections in children.

In a report published in June 2025 in the Journal of the American Dental Association, researchers reviewed 201 pediatric cases of facial cellulitis of odontogenic origin (FCOO)—a severe infection often stemming from untreated tooth decay—and found that children without a regular “dental home” experienced more complex, intensive treatment courses than those with one. A dental home is defined as the ongoing relationship between a dentist and a patient, focusing on comprehensive, accessible, and coordinated oral health care.

Nearly half of the patients (48%) did not have an established dental home, and almost one in four had never seen a dentist before their infection. Younger children and those with special healthcare needs were more likely to require hospitalization, sedation, or general anesthesia. The study found that untreated cavities caused more than 70% of cases, while failed dental restorations accounted for another 22%.

“The findings highlight how critical early preventive dental care is—not just for oral health, but for overall well-being,” says corresponding author Patrick Ruck, DDS, Division of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics. “A child’s dental home isn’t just a place for cleanings—it’s the frontline defense against infections that can become medical emergencies.”

The research also emphasizes the importance of communication between medical and dental teams when hospitalization becomes necessary. Interdisciplinary management has been shown to reduce hospital stays and improve outcomes for children requiring inpatient care.

Next steps include identifying barriers that prevent families—especially those insured through Medicaid—from accessing dental care. The goal is to recommend state and federal policy changes that will empower provider participation in public insurance programs and ensure that every child can establish a dental home by the age of one.

About the Study

Cincinnati Children’s co-authors also included S. Thikkurissy, DDS, MS, MA; and Kalee Abu-Ghazaleh, DDS. Collaborators also included co-authors from George Washington University Children’s National Hospital.

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Publication Information

Original title:	Factors influencing onset and course of odontogenic pediatric facial cellulitis
Published in:	Journal of the American Dental Association
Publish date:	June 2025

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