PATTERN OF PRESCRIPTION OF ANTIBIOTICS AMONG THE DENTAL PRACTITIONERS OF PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Objectives: To determine pattern of prescription of antibiotics among the dental practitioners of Peshawar, Pakistan.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional online study was conducted in Peshawar over a period of 2 months using a convenient sampling technique. A total of 320 dental practitioners were included in the study. Data was collected through a reliable and validated questionnaire. Association between the variables was determined using the Chi-square test.Results: The mean age of study participants was 34.15±11.79years. Of the total 320, 183(57.2%) were female with a mean age of Most dentists prescribe a prophylactic antibiotic for root canal therapy i.e., 64(20.00%), and infi ltration injection with 31(9.68%), whereas for therapeutic purposes, the prescription of antibiotics was high in the case of acute peripheral abscesses with 157(49.06%) and chronic peripheral abscesses with 153(47.81%). Preferred antibiotics for different dental procedures were Metronidazole with 185 (57.8%) and Amoxicillin with 134(42%). A statistically significant association was observed between the use of diff erent antibiotics in anaphylactic and systematic situations with age, gender, and Higher-Qualifi cation (p<0.05).Conclusion: Lack of uniformity is observed in the rational use of antibiotics among study participants. Concrete measures should be undertaken to prevent the irrational use of antibiotics in dental practice and to curb resistance.