Treatment approaches and antibiotic use for emergency dental treatment in Turkey

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to gather information about Turkish general dental practitioners’ treatment approaches towards endodontic emergencies, antibiotic-prescribing habits, and their participation in lifelong learning programs. Questionnaires were given to dentists who attended the 16th National Congress organized by the Turkish Dental Association. From 1,400 questionnaires distributed, 589 (43%) were deemed usable in this study. This survey dealt with questions that were subdivided into two main topics: dental emergency treatment approaches, and antibiotic prescription and information on lifelong learning program participation. The statistical analysis was conducted with a χ2 test at a significance level of P<0.05. For irreversible pulpitis cases in vital teeth, most of the dental practitioners (65.3%) preferred single-visit root canal treatments. For teeth presenting a periapical lesion, the preferred treatment approach was root canal treatment (91.5%). The rate of prescription of analgesics and antibiotics was 21.7% in untreated acute apical periodontitis cases and 41% in acute apical abscess cases. Frequently prescribed antibiotics were amoxicillin–clavulanate (61.8%) and amoxicillin (46.5%). There was a tendency for practitioners to attend congresses as their years of professional practice increased (P<0.0001). There have been discrepancies between taught and observed practice. Educational initiatives are needed to prevent inappropriate prescription of antibiotics.

Demographic profile of patients and clinical characteristics of dental emergencies at the outpatient clinic of a Brazilian Dental School

“…For most patients were prescribed antibiotics and analgesics, especially in cases of acute apical abscesses, and only analgesics in cases of irreversible pulpitis. The study by Kaptan et al [30] reported antibiotics prescription rates of 21.7% and 41% in cases of acute apical periodontitis and acute apical abscesses, respectively, thus differing from our results. Another more recent study found that 83.9% of the patients attending an emergency department of a dental school in Brazil had no systemic drug prescribed after treatment [18].…”

Efficiency of empirically administered antibiotics in patients with cervical infections of odontogenic origin

“…Regarding the antibiotics prescribed to the patients included in the present study, it can be seen that more than half of the patients received amoxicillin treatment with or without beta-lactamase inhibitors. The majority of the patients took the antibiotic without beta-lactamase inhibitors, which is contrary to literature studies, which show that the main antibiotic administered for odontogenic infections is amoxicillin with beta-lactamase inhibitors [ 3 ]. The administration of an effective antibiotic in odontogenic infections is particularly important in the attempt to limit the septic process.…”

“…However, the last 10–15 years have witnessed a rebound of severe odontogenic infections caused by highly aggressive antibiotic-resistant bacteria [ 2 ]. The main cause indicated by the literature for the development of bacteria resistant to antibiotic therapy is the incorrect or inefficient administration of antibiotics [ 3 ]. Currently, a number of antibiotics for inflammatory dental pulp disorders or established abscesses are administered.…”

Use of antibiotics by spanish dentists receiving postgraduate training in endodontics

“…Surveys carried out in other European countries ( 11 , 12 , 14 , 27 , 28 ) also found amoxicillin as the first choice antibiotic selected by dentists for the treatment of apical periodontitis. Amoxicillin is a good antibiotic for pulp-periapical disease because its great antimicrobial activity against the microbiota responsible of these pathologies.…”