The Trends of Antibiotic Prescribing among Indonesian Dentists: Evidence-Based or Empirical-Based Prescriptions?

Abstract

Antibiotics are frequently employed in the field of dentistry for both prophylactic and therapeutic applications. Prophylactic antibiotics are used as a preventive measure against endocarditis, whereas therapeutic antibiotics are employed to treat infections in the oral cavity. Orofacial infections constitute a substantial component of dental therapy, wherein antibiotics assume a prominent role. Nevertheless, the utilization of antibiotic prophylaxis has become deemed inappropriate as a result of its widespread implementation. This study investigates the trends of antibiotic prescription among dentists in Indonesia. The analysis demonstrates that there is a concerning trend among dentists in Indonesia who are engaging in unethical prescription practices, namely with regards to antibiotics such as amoxicillin and clindamycin. These antibiotics are frequently employed due to their cost-effectiveness, low levels of toxicity, and capacity to compete with the absorption of nutrients from food. Antibiotic resistance can arise as a consequence of the inappropriate use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Hence, it is imperative for dentists to show judiciousness in the prescription of antibiotics, taking into account many criteria such as dental cleanliness, complexity of extraction technique, and kind of extraction.