KNOWLEDGE AND PATTERNS OF ANTIBIOTIC PRESCRIPTION AMONG DENTAL PRACTITIONERS...

What is it about?

Introduction: Presence of various bacterial strains resistant to antibiotics is a genuine issue to medical professionals. Unjustified over prescription of antibiotics by dental practitioners (DP) is well recognized. The aim of this study was to explore the knowledge and patterns of antibiotic prescription and related antibiotic resistance among dental surgeons working in Hail, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A questionnaire was distributed to 150 DP working in the district of Hail, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire sought answers to the common dental conditions for which antibiotic would be prescribed. The possible contributing factors in development of antibiotic resistance were also sought. Results: Out of the 150 questionnaires sent out 101 (67%) were filled in by the DP. About 85% were males and 15% were females. Most of the DP would prescribe antibiotics for elevated temperature (86.1%), diffuse swelling (75.2%) and swelling causing eye closure (90.1%). Antibiotic prescription would be considered for pericoronitis, cellulitis and trismus by 68.3%, 89.1% and 40.6% of the DP respectively. However, 55.4% would prescribe antibiotics for fluctuant localized swelling, 75.2% to reduce postoperative complications and 73.3.8% for surgical extraction. Generally, amoxicillin was the most preferred drug of choice, and nearly 36% of the DP preferred amoxicillin-clavulanate in treatment of cellulitis. About 67% thought that the widespread use of antibiotics was the main contributing factor in development of antibiotic resistance. Conclusion: Despite of the moderate knowledge of DP, a substantial percentage continue to prescribe antibiotics indiscriminately and irrationally. The results reveal that further work and efforts are required to acquaint the DP of the risk of unjustified antibiotic use and bacterial-resistance development. Keywords: antimicrobial, dental practitioner, use of antibiotics, bacterial resistance.

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