A questionnaire survey of dental practitioner to determine knowledge and awareness about prescribing antibiotics during and after endodontic treatment in Central India

Abstract

Endodontic infections are polymicrobial involving a combination of gram-positive, gram-negative, facultative anaerobes and strictly anaerobic bacteria. Thus, antibiotics, account for the vast majority of medicines prescribed by dentists. The inappropriate and excessive use of antibiotics is a major factor in the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Dentistry’s contributions to the problem of antibiotic resistance can be important because dentists prescribe 10% of all general antibiotics. Till date, sparse literature is available in central India regarding the usage of prescribing antibiotics for endodontic treatment. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine knowledge about prescribing antibiotics during and after endodontic treatment amongst dental practitioners in Central India. Method: A Web-based survey of 110 participants was conducted using validated questions in a population of central India. Results: Amoxicillin (72.3%) was the drug of choice by most of the practitioner’s (no medical allergies).Antibiotic usage was reported highest for surgical endodontic treatment (64.1%),but clinical scenario like pulpitis(5.8%) and necrosis (9.6%) also reports antibiotic prescription. Over prescription of antibiotic was seen when antibiotics were prescribed for cases where no improvement was seen with the previously prescribed antibiotic. Awareness regarding drug resistance was reported 86.7%. Conclusion: Though practitioner shows fair knowledge about the prescription of antibiotic there is need to re- evaluate drugresistance. Keywords: Antibiotic, Antibiotic Resistance, Antibiotic prescription, Endodontic infection, Endodontic treatment.