Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the pre-tested questionnaire was given to all the 181 senior dental students in four universities. Of the 72 surveys returned, 69 were accepted as follows: University no. 1: 23 students, University no. 2: 18 students, University no. 3: 16 students and University no. 4: 12 students. The questionnaire consisted of demographic, behavioral, and background questions and knowledge and attitude questions. Both ways of distributing the questionnaires, by hand in three universities and in one university by email, were examined. For statistical analysis T-test, Chi-square, and ANOVA were conducted.
Results: The mean of the total knowledge score was 30.98 out of 43. Only 49.1% of the students had acceptable knowledge (knowledge score≥33) in regards to antibiotic prescription and antibiotic resistance. More than 50% of the students chose to prescribe antibiotics prophylactically in case of Mitral valve prolapse. Nearly half of the students did not know that antibiotic resistance can spread from human to human. There was not a significant difference in the knowledge scores based on the gender and studying in the newly or old established universities (P>0.05). The lowest response rate was observed in the university in which the questionnaires were sent to the students via email.
Conclusions: Dental students' knowledge about antibiotic usage and antibiotic resistance seems inadequate. As the knowledge foundation of dental students about medication is laid and improved by the offered courses during undergraduate studies, further education and more comprehensive courses covering the antibiotic prescription for orofacial infections are recommended to update the students.