IADR Abstract Archives
Dentists’ Knowledge and Use of Antibiotics in Trinidad
Objectives: Dentists have been shown to over-prescribe antibiotics for a variety of oral conditions. The basis for prescribing antibiotics in dentistry is generally insufficient; where research has shown that few (5%) patients who received a prescription for antibiotics had an acute infection. This is often done empirically without considering the unique opportunity afforded to them, whereby the dental practitioner can reduce the bacterial load or remove the source of infection by several means. Furthermore, increased resistance to antibiotics has been found in the bacteria of the oral cavity due to long-term and repetitive use. This study aims to determine the pattern of antibiotic use and the rationale employed by dentists for prescribing in Trinidad.
Methods: Cross sectional questionnaire- based survey of 110 dentists registered to practice in Trinidad and Tobago. Participants were invited to anonymously complete a questionnaire based upon a previous one. The questionnaire consisted of 11 factors which covered knowledge on the use of antimicrobial agents in patients with dental infection based on various factors including the patients’ medical history and clinical signs. Participants’ gender and age were also sought. The correct and incorrect answers were defined based upon current literature; a score of 1 was given to all correct answers and 0 to incorrect ones the total possible score ranged from 0-65. Descriptive frequencies and associations were statistically evaluated.
Results: The sample size was 110 with an even distribution of males: females. The most frequently prescribed antibiotic was Amoxicillin (50%) followed by Augmentin® (41.8 %). 47% of respondents prescribed antibiotics for “localized fluctuant swelling”. 71% considered prescribing antibiotics “when treatment had to be delayed”.
Conclusions: The results suggest that the pattern of antibiotic use, by general dentists in Trinidad, maybe due to a lack of knowledge concerning the evidence-based guidelines for optimizing their empirical approach when prescribing.
Methods: Cross sectional questionnaire- based survey of 110 dentists registered to practice in Trinidad and Tobago. Participants were invited to anonymously complete a questionnaire based upon a previous one. The questionnaire consisted of 11 factors which covered knowledge on the use of antimicrobial agents in patients with dental infection based on various factors including the patients’ medical history and clinical signs. Participants’ gender and age were also sought. The correct and incorrect answers were defined based upon current literature; a score of 1 was given to all correct answers and 0 to incorrect ones the total possible score ranged from 0-65. Descriptive frequencies and associations were statistically evaluated.
Results: The sample size was 110 with an even distribution of males: females. The most frequently prescribed antibiotic was Amoxicillin (50%) followed by Augmentin® (41.8 %). 47% of respondents prescribed antibiotics for “localized fluctuant swelling”. 71% considered prescribing antibiotics “when treatment had to be delayed”.
Conclusions: The results suggest that the pattern of antibiotic use, by general dentists in Trinidad, maybe due to a lack of knowledge concerning the evidence-based guidelines for optimizing their empirical approach when prescribing.