Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Antibiotic Prescribing Among Dentists in Sudan

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate antibiotic prescribing practices of dentists working in a major teaching hospital in Sudan, and to assess the need for establishing education programmes to enhance dentists' awareness of antibiotic use. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out by distributing an anonymous self-administered questionnaire to a convenience sample of dental practitioners at major teaching hospital in Khartoum/Sudan. The questionnaire investigated knowledge and attitudes of participants in relation to antibiotic prescribing in dental practice. Results: One hundred out of 135 dental practitioners working at the hospital participated in the survey with 48 males and 52 females. Most of the participants (N=44) did not specify their preferable drug reference, while 32 participants specified British National Formulary, and the practice was significantly associated with a higher professional rank (p<0.001). Metronidazole was the most frequently cited antibiotic for dentofacial infections (N=73) and Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis (N=56), while amoxicillin was the most frequently cited antibiotic for dento-alveolar infections and infective endocarditis prophylaxis (N=88 and N=47, respectively). Conclusion: Undergraduate, as well as postgraduate courses, are required in Sudan to provide up-to-date orientation on antibiotic use, and to increase awareness of dentists about antibiotic prescribing.

What the dental practitioner needs to know about pharmaco-therapeutic modalities of COVID-19 treatment: A review

“… 79 Metronidazole was cited among the most popular antibiotics prescribed by dentists in several countries. 80 It is safe, and tolerable with only few side effects reported such as headache and bitter or metallic taste. 81 However, it is considered a high risk antibiotic for patients on warfarin due to the increased susceptibility to bleeding.…”

Utilization of Teledentistry in Antimicrobial Prescribing and Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases during COVID-19 Lockdown

“…While plaque-induced gingivitis is treated by physical plaque and calculus removal, a limited number of periodontal diseases are indicated for antibiotics, namely, necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis and pericoronitis. 9 Pericoronitis treatment is dependent on the severity of infection and recurrence whereby options include antibiotics prescription, operculotomy, and extraction if the infection is recurrent. 15 It was also obvious that nonclinical or social factors still influence prescribing as shown by the case of the son of an elderly patient with diabetes and stents who requested a metronidazole prescription from the dentist.…”

“…8 They also were inclined to prescribe for nonindicated clinical conditions. 9 Development of antimicrobial resistance and many complications and side effects associated with antimicrobial use are consequently anticipated. 10 A substantial proportion of oral infections have an acute nature, and their diagnosis and management should be done promptly.…”

A Review of Evidence-Based Recommendations for Pericoronitis Management and a Systematic Review of Antibiotic Prescribing for Pericoronitis among Dentists: Inappropriate Pericoronitis Treatment Is a Critical Factor of Antibiotic Overuse in Dentistry

“…Six studies based on self-administered questionnaires among dentists identifying their therapeutic approaches to dental-related diagnoses and situations, including pericoronitis, were evaluated, and the summarization of their approaches to pericoronitis is presented in Table 6 [ 10 , 17 , 20 , 21 , 79 , 80 ]. The position of pericoronitis in the frequency of antibiotic used for its treatment within the surveyed diagnoses and situations is presented in Table 7 .…”