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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year : 2018  |  Volume : 16  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 144-148

Dental practitioner's knowledge and practices regarding antibiotic prescription and development of resistance: A cross-sectional study


Department of Public Health Dentistry, Government Dental College and Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Manjunath P Puranik
Department of Public Health Dentistry, Government Dental College and Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka
India
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/jiaphd.jiaphd_37_18

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Background and Objectives: Antibiotics are pharmacotherapeutic adjuncts prescribed by dentists for managing dental infections. Over the years, the overuse of antibiotics has been noticed which may lead to the development of resistance by certain species of bacteria. Hence, the study was conducted to assess knowledge and practice regarding antibiotic prescription and development of resistance among dental practitioners. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 dental practitioners in Bengaluru city, India. Data were collected using a structured pro forma regarding demographic details and knowledge and practices about antibiotic prescription and development of resistance. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis were performed. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: A majority of participants were postgraduates (59.5%). UG/PG training (95.0%) and scientific materials (91.7%) were the major sources of knowledge. A high percentage of the study participants were prescribing antibiotics for conditions such as tooth fracture (56.7%), dental caries (53%), and simple extraction (54.5%). Dental practitioners with postgraduate qualification believed that self-prescription by patient (odds ratio [OR] = 1.06, [P = 0.80]) and overprescription by dentist (OR = 1.10, [P = 0.62]) may lead to the development of antibiotic resistance. Conclusion: Knowledge related to antibiotic prescription was low. Although the majority of participants were aware of the antibiotic resistance, still indiscriminate prescription of antibiotics was found indicating a need for updating regarding appropriate antibiotic use through Continuing Dental Education programs.


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