Abstract
BackgroundThe incidence of endodontic infections is high. The contribution of Endodontics to the global problem of antibiotic resistance could be significant. The ESE, together with the World Health Organization, are promoting the World Antibiotic Awareness Week (13-19 November 2017) to promote the appropriate use of systemic antibiotics in Endodontics. The objective of this study was to determine the prescription pattern of antibiotics in the treatment of endodontic infections of Spanish dentists attending specialization programs in Endodontics.Material and MethodsDentists from five Spanish endodontic postgraduate programs were requested to answer a one-page questionnaire surveying about antibiotics indications. Seventy-three dentists were required to participate in this investigation, and 67 (91.2%) fulfilled satisfactorily the survey and were included in the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi square test.ResultsThe average duration of antibiotic therapy was 6.8±1.2 days. All respondents chose amoxicillin as first choice antibiotic in patients with no medical allergies, alone (40%) or associated to clavulanic acid (60%). The first drug of choice for penicillin allergic patients was clindamycin (72%). For cases of irreversible pulpitis, 22% of respondents prescribed antibiotics. For the scenario of a necrotic pulp, symptomatic apical periodontitis and no swelling, 37% prescribed antibiotics. A quarter of dentists prescribed antibiotics for necrotic pulps with asymptomatic apical periodontitis and a sinus tract.ConclusionsThe results of this study show that postgraduate training in Endodontics provides greater awareness of the correct indications of antibiotics. Dentists who have received specialized training in Endodontics have a prescription pattern of antibiotics more adjusted to the guidelines recommended by international organizations and by scientific societies. Key words:Antibiotics, apical periodontitis, dental curriculum, endodontic infections, postgraduate endodontic training.
Highlights
The need for expertise in Endodontics should be met through a harmonized effort in development of basic educational programmes at undergraduate level and, programmes at postgraduate levels [1]
It is especially important that postgraduate students in Endodontics know that there is no evidence to support the indication of systemic antibiotic therapy to relieve pain in cases of irreversible pulpitis [8]
The results of this study show that up to 63%, 44% and 40% of students would prescribe antibiotics in cases of irreversible pulpitis, necrotic pulp with symptomatic apical periodontitis and no swelling, and necrotic pulps with asymptomatic apical periodontitis and a sinus tract, respectively
Summary
The need for expertise in Endodontics should be met through a harmonized effort in development of basic educational programmes at undergraduate level and, programmes at postgraduate levels [1]. The results of this study show that up to 63%, 44% and 40% of students would prescribe antibiotics in cases of irreversible pulpitis, necrotic pulp with symptomatic apical periodontitis and no swelling, and necrotic pulps with asymptomatic apical periodontitis and a sinus tract, respectively None of these three clinical situations requires treatment with antibiotics [7]. The objective of this study was to determine the prescription pattern of Spanish dentists attending specialization programs in Endodontics on the indication of systemic antibiotic therapy in the treatment of endodontic infections. The objective of this study was to determine the prescription pattern of antibiotics in the treatment of endodontic infections of Spanish dentists attending specialization programs in Endodontics. Dentists who have received specialized training in Endodontics have a prescription pattern of antibiotics more adjusted to the guidelines recommended by international organizations and by scientific societies
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