Dental Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes towards Antibiotic Prescribing Guidelines in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: The use of antibiotics prophylactically and therapeutically in dentistry has become common practice. Inappropriate prescription may lead to adverse side effects and bacterial resistance. During clinical training, dental students in Saudi Arabia are authorized to prescribe antibiotics. Aim: To evaluate dental students’ knowledge and attitudes regarding antibiotic prescription in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study based on a validated questionnaire consisting of 34 questions focusing on antibiotic indications in dentistry, antibiotic regimens, and knowledge regarding resistance was distributed amongst dental students in five leading dental colleges in Riyadh. Results: A large proportion of students (71.7%) were familiar with the concept of antibiotic resistance. When comparing junior and senior dental students’ knowledge with regards to indications of antibiotic use in commonly encountered conditions, it was found that there was no significant difference in antibiotic prescription frequency between these groups. Most dental students choose to prescribe amoxicillin as their first-choice of antibiotic (88.4%), and most also chose to use it for a duration of 3–5 days (69.2%). Conclusions: This study concludes that dental students may prescribe antibiotics inappropriately to manage various conditions when not indicated. This may indicate a defect in education of students with regards to current antibiotic guidelines.

Knowledge and Attitude Towards Antibiotic Usage: A Questionnaire-Based Survey Among Pre-Professional Students at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences on Jeddah Campus, Saudi Arabia

“…Around the world, there is a lack of studies about the perceptions of healthcare students, although they play a vital role in raising awareness of health-related issues [15]. In addition, in Saudi Arabia only two studies have been conducted targeting medical and dental students regarding their knowledge, attitude, and perception of antibiotic prescribing guidelines [16,17]. Therefore, this study seeks to investigate the knowledge and attitudes among medical and other health-allied students at College of Science and Health Professions (COSHP) at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS)-Jeddah campus to gain further understanding in order to implement more effective strategies in raising awareness.…”

Antibiotic abuse during endodontic treatment: A contributing factor to antibiotic resistance

“…[121314] The most common infections treated with antibiotics in dentistry are infections related to the root canal system. [15] In endodontics, antibiotics are used extensively not only systemically but also locally. The local mode comprises intracanal medicaments, irrigants containing antibiotics, medicated gutta percha points, medicated sealers, etc., that enable the dentist to target bacteria in every nook and corner of root canal system, which is otherwise beyond reach if targeted by conventional root canal treatment (RCT) protocols.…”

Prescribing antibiotics by dentists in Colombia: Toward a conscientious prescription

“…These values are higher than those found in other studies, including dentistry students or professionals in Saudi Arabia, Poland, Lebanon, Prescribing antibiotics by dentists in Colombia and Wales (1-28.3 percent). [36][37][38][39] This result clearly indicates the need for efficient awareness campaigns on this issue in Colombia, and this responsibility lies with the states, health-care institutions, academia, and teachers, among other regulatory or training institutions. The prescription of antibiotics in dentistry is essentially indicated in oral infections wherein there is evidence of dissemination of infection, such as cellulitis, lymph node involvement, and inflammation, or in cases of systemic involvement (malaise or fever), emphasizing the need to assess symptoms before making decisions on treatment.…”