Antibiotic prescription patterns in a Dental college located in Northern India

Antibiotics are a boon for infection control; however, injudicious prescription of these drugs cause resistance and is a matter of concern. The assessment of awareness and knowledge of antibiotics prescription among clinicians is important for preventing the development of this resistance.

To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of dentists towards antibiotic prescription in a dental college located in Northern India.

A total of 102 dentists divided into three groups-Faculty (n=17), Post-graduate students (n=27) and Interns (n=58) were invited to participate in the study. The participants belonged to various branches of dentistry.

The study revealed that higher percentage of respondents prescribed antibiotics in localized dental infections that do not need antibiotic coverage under usual circumstances (acute periapical infection, reversible pulpitis, irreversible pulpitis, apical periodontitis). The results showed that 5.8% Post-graduates and 18.6% Interns would advise antibiotics for cases of herpes labialis, a viral infection. Majority of respondents, especially from the Post-graduates and Interns group reported that they prescribe antibiotics because of fear of post-operative complications.

The general awareness about appropriate use of antibiotics in various dental pathologies is generally limited even in the Pharmacology teachers because of their background in Medical field, rather than Dental backgrounds.