Pattern of antibiotic prescription by General dentists–A Questionnaire based study

Dr. N. Arunakiry Natarajan; Dr. Ravi David Austin; Dr.N. Thilagavathy; Dr. P. Vijayachandar

Volume : IV, Issue : XI, November - 2014

Pattern of antibiotic prescription by General dentists–A Questionnaire based study

Dr. N. Arunakiry Natarajan, Dr. Ravi David Austin, Dr. N. Thilagavathy, Dr. P. Vijayachandar

Abstract :

Antibiotics play an essential role in the prevention and treatment of patients at risk of experiencing microbial disease. Increasing inappropriate use of antibiotics has helped the bacteria to armour themselves and develop &ldquo;Antibiotic Resistance&rdquo;. Evidences have shown that antibiotic prescribed by most health care workers is sub&ndash;optimal and erratic and that about 75% of prescriptions are of questionable therapeutic value6. A 2&ndash;page custom made questionnaire was presented to local registered general dentists. Dentists were requested to complete the form pertaining to the mode of their own prescription of antibiotics. All the filled in forms were analyzed personally. The results showed that females prescribed more antibiotics compared to males and as the number of years of clinical practice increased there was a moderation and more reasoning in the mode of antibiotic prescription. Amoxycillin is the most commonly used antibiotic irrespective of the number of years or the gender of the practicing dentist.