Endodontic Treatment in Pregnancy; Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Dentists and Interns in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction: Dental practitioners with limited training in gestational medicine may be cautious to treat their pregnant patients. Endodontic treatment requires the use of medications including analgesics as well as antibiotics. Because of a concern of harming either mother or unborn child, some dentists may hold back care or medications from their patients, unintentionally causing harm. Materials and methods: This is a cross sectional study conducted among the dental professionals and interns of Riyadh using an online survey. 504 dentists and interns were used in this study and were contacted using social media. Results: 14.3% participants were not certain whether to take full mouth radiograph for pregnant patients or not, 36.5% often used local anesthesia without epinephrine and 23.4% never prescribed antibiotics such as amoxicillin or clindamycin. Conclusion: Overall knowledge of dental practitioners regarding the endodontic therapy of pregnant patients is not satisfactory.