Antibiotic Resistance-An institutional questionnaire study

Abstract

To determine the pattern of antibiotic prescription and to assess the knowledge of antibiotic resistance among dentists. Material and Methods An electronic version of the questionnaire regarding antibiotic use and knowledge on antibiotic resistance was created using google forms and a link was mailed to dental surgeons and their response was recorded. Data obtained was recorded and analysed using descriptive statistics. Results Out of 130 responses recorded 45.4% of dentists prefer prescribing antibiotics daily. Amoxicillin was the most often recommended antibiotic by majority (49.6%) of the practitioners, While 54.6% of dentists considered a duration of 3 days course of antibiotics for odontogenic infections. 43.7% of the respondent’s considered clindamycin as an alternative in penicillin-allergic patients. Abscess was the most common (67.2%) condition considered for antibiotic prescription ,49.6% of the participants stated that availability of a particular brand as a primary factor for prescription of antibiotics. 40.3% of dental surgeons felt that failure to prescribe antibiotics was the main reason for the spread of infection. Almost 91.8% of dental surgeons were aware that antibiotic resistance was becoming a global concern. Conclusion Antibiotics revolutionized the way infections are being treated, Although incorrect and inappropriate use of antibiotics could be a contributing factor for the development of Antibiotic Resistance. Anti-microbial stewardship should be deeply integrated into dental practice and oral health care, to reduce the number of unnecessary prescriptions and educational intervention is utmost essential to limit non-medical prescriptions. Key Words Anti-microbial resistance in dentistry, Antibiotic prescribing patterns, Antibiotic resistance, Over-prescription