Knowledge and Awareness Regarding Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Infective Endocarditis Among Undergraduate Dental Students

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge and awareness regarding antibiotic prophylaxis for infective endocarditis (IE) among undergraduate dental students. Methods:A validated questionnaire of 16 questions, regarding the basic knowledge and awareness about antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of IE, was distributed among 100 students randomly belonging to final year and internship (5 th year trainee) of the undergraduate dental program in Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha University, Chennai. The data extracted were tabulated, statistically analyzed, and results obtained. Results were calculated on the basis of frequency and percentages using SPSS Version 20.0.Results: About 73% of the students were aware of IE prophylaxis, and 40% of dental students were exposed to treating patients susceptible to IE. 56% of participants answered that amoxicillin is the first line of antibiotic for IE prophylaxis and 59% replied 2 g PO 1 hr before the appointment is the recommended regimen. 36% said that erythromycin is no longer recommended by American Heart Association for IE prophylaxis. However, only one-third of the participants knew about the cardiac conditions and dental procedures that require antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of IE. Furthermore, only 16% knew about the recommended dosage of clindamycin. Conclusion:This study revealed a reasonable knowledge and awareness about IE prophylaxis among undergraduate dental students but was inadequate. Hence, this study emphasizes the need for improved education in the teaching curriculum for dental students regarding IE prophylaxis. A standard protocol regarding the training as well as preventive measures for IE should be formulated for the dental students and the knowledge acquired must be transferred into practice.

Knowledge Assessment of Undergraduate Dental Students about Oral Cancer -An Institutional Study

“…This finding is in accordance with Kumar and Harshini, who found all the students (100%) take personal history and Okoh and Enabulele, found 96.7 % of students take habit history. [2,8] This might be due to the fact that most of the students have knowledge about the role of tobacco and alcohol in causing oral cancer. Whereas Fotedar et al in their study found only 67.7% of students took history about the use of tobacco and alcohol.…”

“…However Kumar and Harshini found 86 % of students take family history and Anderson Rocha-Buelvas et al found 22.58% evaluate family history of cancer. [2,10] 78% of students inform patients about the risk factors of oral cancer. However Kumar and Harshini found only 33 % of students inform their patients about the risk factors, whereas Bhagavathula et al found 98.2% students inform.…”

“…[1] Tobacco consumption with or without alcohol have been proved to be the main etiologic agents of SCC, which is avoidable. [2,3] Even though SCC can easily be detected in routine oral examinations, lack of knowledge of doctors compounded by patients negligence, results in the detection of cancer at later stages, thus reducing the survival rates. Detection of SCC at initial stages reduces the morbidity and mortality rates, thus necessitating proper training to the dental students regarding oral cancer.…”

Oral submucousfibrosis-etiopathology a review article

“…Some other substances may also be added such as grated coconut or spices like aniseed, peppermint, cardamom and cloves, based on the local preference.Tobacco which is a basic ingredient, is associated with an increased risk of oral. [23] cancer. The lime releases reactive oxygen species from extracts of areca-nut which might be the contributing factor for cytogenic damage involved in oral cancer.…”

Dentists’ knowledge and practices about infective endocarditis antibiotics prophylaxis among children in southwestern Saudi Arabia

“…9 The American Heart Association has published many journals to guide people ways to avoid infective endocarditis since ever since 1955. 10 However, since the publication of the 2007 version guidelines, the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC) strategies have been updated several times, most recently in the 2017 AHA/ACC. 11,12 Due to these repeated updates in guidelines, dental practitioners should always have up-to-date information about the latest procedures on the usage of antibiotics for the inhibition of ineffective endocarditis.…”