Dentistry

Abstract

Antibiotics: Judicious and Injudicious Use among Dentists: A Questionnaire Based Study

Anjali Singh*, Deepak Chauhan, Tripti Chauhan2, Parul Singhal, Cheranjeevi Jayam, Seema Thakur

Introduction: Dentists prescribe antibiotics for treatment as well as prevention of infection. Antibiotics are indicated for the treatment of odontogenic infections, oral non-odontogenic infections, as prophylaxis against focal infection and as prophylaxis against local infection and spread to neighbouring tissues and organs. Treatment of odontogenic infections includes diagnosis and management of the causative factor and usually, prescription of appropriate antibiotics. Placing a patient on antibiotics and rescheduling to have the source dealt with at a later time is not sound practice, as most often the infection will worsen. The use and abuse of antibiotics have been of concern to the medical and the dental profession for some time now, due mainly to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Aim and objectives: The aim of this short study is to determine the rationale and the pattern of antibiotic prescription for dental management in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh in terms of the level of improvement in knowledge and feedbacks of the participants with the help of a questionnaire. Materials and methods: A 56 BDS practitioners and 49 MDS dentists from Himachal Pradesh government dental college, Shimla (H.P) included in this study are given a questionnaire containing both open ended and closed ended questions. The questionnaires sought answers to the clinical and non-clinical factors; signs, clinical conditions and dental treatment modalities for which the practitioners would prescribe antibiotics. Results/Conclusion: Odontogenic infections are polymicrobial in nature. Prompt diagnosis and treatment, including elimination of the causative factor, are crucial to their successful management. Antibiotics are a useful adjunct in the treatment of odontogenic infections, but should not replace removal of the causative factor. All dentists should know when referral to a specialist is warranted.

Published Date: 2024-02-06; Received Date: 2019-11-19