Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Antibiotic Prescribing by Dentists in Galicia, Spain: A Quasi-Experimental Approach

Abstract

Background: Antibiotic resistance is one of the most pressing public health problems. Health authorities, patients, and health professionals, including dentists, are all involved in its development. COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on dental care may have had repercussions on antibiotic prescribing by dentists. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on antibiotic prescribing by dentists, and to review antibiotic consumption according to the WHO Access, Watch, Reserve classification. We conducted a natural, before-and-after, quasi-experimental study, using antibiotic prescription data covering the period from January 2017 to May 2021. A segmented regression analysis with interrupted time series data was used to analyse the differences between the numbers of defined daily doses (DDD) of antibiotics prescribed monthly. The outcomes showed an immediate significant decrease in overall antibiotic prescribing by primary-care dentists during lockdown, followed by a non-significant upward trend for the next year. This same pattern was, likewise, observed for Access and Watch antibiotics. COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on dental care influenced the prescription of antibiotics. During confinement, an initial decrease was observed, this trend changed when in person consultations were recovered. It might be beneficial to analyse the prescription of antibiotics using the WHO AWaRe classification, in order to monitor their appropriate use.

Antibiotic prescriptions among dentists across Norway and the impact of COVID-19 pandemic

“…The magnitude of the reduction in the number of antibiotic prescriptions was in children, with respiratory infections [ 25 , 26 ]. The result of this study shows a relative increase in prescriptions of antibiotics during the COVID-19 pandemic while other international studies show a reduction in antibiotic prescribing among dentists by 8.92% [ 21 ]. Since dental care was partially closed during parts of the pandemic period the increasing number of telephone consultations might have contributed to the observed increased in antibiotic prescription.…”

“…Because dental care services were partially closed or open with a reduce capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic, many patients chose to postpone regular checks and treatments, and it is anticipated that there might have been an increased risk of compensatory prescription of antibiotics. This is also the case because of the number of telephone consultations also increased [ 21 ]. It is necessary to continue to provide, implement, maintain, and follow up the national guidelines by well-structured organization so that antibiotics will continue to be effective for users in the future.…”

Prescription of Choreito, a Japanese Kampo Medicine, with Antimicrobials for Treatment of Acute Cystitis: A Retrospective Cohort Study

“…However, this could not be proven in the present study. The review papers analyzing the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and antibiotic administration in non-COVID-19-infected patients reported mixed results of decreased or increased antibiotic use; therefore, definitive conclusions could not be drawn [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ].…”