PATTERN OF ANTIBIOTIC PRESCRIPTION BY INDIAN DENTAL PRACTITIONERS IN MANAGEMENT OF ENDODONTIC INFECTIONS: (A SURVEY)

Dr. Mohd Ayaz Malick; Dr. Chandrakar Chaman; Dr. Mohammad Salman Akhtar; Dr. Sheeba Khan; Dr. Sachin Yadav; Dr. Ankit Agarwal

Volume : VIII, Issue : II, February - 2019

PATTERN OF ANTIBIOTIC PRESCRIPTION BY INDIAN DENTAL PRACTITIONERS IN MANAGEMENT OF ENDODONTIC INFECTIONS: (A SURVEY)

Dr. Mohd Ayaz Malick, Dr. Chandrakar Chaman, Dr. Mohammad Salman Akhtar, Dr. Sheeba Khan, Dr. Sachin Yadav, Dr. Ankit Agarwal

Abstract :

Introduction: Infections of Endodontic origin are poly–microbial involving a variety of microbes, therefore Antibiotics & Analgesics, are being prescribed by Dental practitioner’s which has led to development of Antimicrobial resistance against a wide range of bacterial species, particularly those involved in infections of Endodontic origin. Studies in the past have shown antibiotics prescribing habits of dentists with the results depicting that over prescription can occurs. Aim: The purpose of this study was to identify the pattern of antibiotic prescription by Indian dental practitioners in management of endodontic infections: (A Survey). Material and Methods: A double sided questionnaire was made in Google document and the link generated and was sent to Indian dental practitioners via social networking sites (facebook, whatsapp etc. The practitioners included those working as private practitioners and those in dental colleges including Post graduate students and faculty. Results: The overall response rate was 76.40%. Amoxicillin with Clavulanic acid was the drug of choice with 69.5% clinicians prescribing it to adult patients without drug allergy. The maximum duration for the prescription recorded was one month and the least was 2 days. Loading dose was given by only 21.1% of the total respondents. The maximum respondents (83%) prescribed antibiotics in condition with necrotic pulp with apical periodontitis; swelling present, moderate/severe pre–op symptoms. Avulsion was the condition in which maximum respondents prescribed antibiotics. In the situation in which the condition did not improved after 2–3 days, adding a second antibiotic was the treatment of choice by 87.7% respondents. Conclusion: It can be concluded that Antibiotics are not the first line of treatment especially for Endodontic infections as majority of the endodontic infections are cured merely by the removal of the aetiology therefore Antibiotics should be used judiciously.