Knowledge and Prescription Habits Toward Preoperative Antibiotics in Implant Dentistry: A Survey Analysis in a Subset of Dentists in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

To investigate and evaluate current knowledge and habits in prescribing preoperative antibiotic, and toward specific practice situations, in a subset of dental practitioners performing routine dental implant surgery in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was developed, and relevant information was gathered through a web-based survey from a dentist who performed surgical implant placement. Participant demographics, clinical experience, and educational background were obtained. Factors related to knowledge and practice of preoperative antibiotics prescription and relevant information were collected. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) were used to describe the categorical variables. Pearson's Chi-square test was used to compare the distribution of the categorical responses across specific survey variables. A p value of ≤ 0.05 was used to report the statistical significance of the responses relative to prescription habits. A total of 156 dentists participated in this study. Majority of the study sample was periodontists (70.5%, n = 110). About 63.5% of the study subjects do not prescribe prophylactic antibiotics. Private practitioners prescribed more antibiotics preoperatively (p = 0.019), while public and academic practitioners were in favor of developing guidelines toward antibiotics prescriptions (p = 0.009). Furthermore, a statistically significant difference was found between private and no private practitioners toward possible adverse complications when prescribing multidose antibiotics (p = 0.014). Various factors influence the knowledge and prescription habits toward prophylactic antibiotics among dental practitioners in routine dental implant procedures. The variability and conflicting practices require the attention of healthcare legislations and stakeholders, locally and globally, to improve antibiotics prescription habits. Furthermore, large-scale interventions, prescription stewardship programs, and collaborative work between professional and scientific organizations may be beneficial to address areas of concern. Strategic policies and stewardship programs toward antibiotic prescription among dental practitioners may benefit in reducing the unjustified or misuse of these medications. Subsequently, this could minimize the potential development of bacterial resistance and unwanted events that might complicate the management of straightforward dental implant cases.