Misuse of antibiotics: A potential threat

Abstract

Introduction: Antibiotics are invaluable adjuncts in the management of orofacial infections. Role of dentists & injudicious use of antibiotics resulting in antimicrobial resistance is unknown. Therefore a survey was conducted. Aims & Objectives: To assess the types and frequency of antibiotic prescriptions , by dental practitioners in the state of Rajasthan , India. Method: A two page questionnaire was mailed to 525 dental practitioners & the results were assessed. Results: A total of 500 dentists responded to the questionnaire. Discussion: Confusion about prescribing antibiotics & inappropriate prescribing practises , however are reported by dentists (Steed et al 1997). Patients not finishing the prescribed doses , wrong prescription , inefficient tools for diagnosing & preventing drug resistance , lack of Govt. commitment to address these issues are various factors that may affect development of antibiotic resistant microorganisms. (Loesche 1996) Conclusion: Amoxicillin-Clavulunic acid combination was the most preferred antibiotic prescribed by dental practitioners for orodental infections followed by amoxicillin & ofloxacin ornidazole combination. Discrepancies were noted in the prophylactic use of antibiotics , which supports the need for educational initiatives to promote rational use of antibiotics in dentistry.

Antibiotic Use and Misuse in Dentistry in India—A Systematic Review

“…Twenty-six studies [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 ] explored the indications and reasons for antibiotic prescription/dispensing. Of these, 25 studies involved questionnaire surveys of dentists, and one study [ 38 ] involved antibiotic dispensing by pharmacists without a prescription to patients with dental complaints.…”

“…Of the 49 studies assessed using the AXIS tool, six studies were judged as having a low risk of bias [ 35 , 47 , 59 , 63 , 72 , 85 ], fifteen studies [ 34 , 38 , 48 , 53 , 57 , 58 , 60 , 62 , 64 , 70 , 78 , 83 ] were judged as having a moderate risk of bias and twenty-eight studies [ 33 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 61 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 71 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 84 , 89 , 90 ] were judged as having a high risk of bias. The qualitative study satisfied seven out of ten criteria of the JBI Critical appraisal tool.…”

Comparative Assessment of Antimicrobial Efficacy of Different Antibiotic Coated Gutta-Percha Cones on Enterococcus faecalis An Invitro Study

“…Ofloxacin is resistant to majority of anaerobic bacteria and hence combined with ornidazole to treat mixed infections. Ofloxacin-Ornidazole combination is one of the routinely prescribed antibiotic in dental infections having synergistic effect against enterococci [32].…”

Application of antimicrobial drugs in perioperative surgical incision

“…The rational use of antibiotics indicates that antibiotics cannot be misused. Misuse of antibiotics includes use of the wrong antibiotics, in the wrong dose, for the wrong duration, and not in accordance with associated guidelines and principles [ 9 ]. Clinical studies on the preoperative and intraoperative use of antibiotics are more numerous than those about the postoperative use of antibiotics.…”

“…Patients should use antibiotics rationally to restrict incision infection and increase wound healing rate. Many studies [ 6 , 8 , 9 ] involving clinical intervention and retrospective analysis highlighted the concept of rational use of antibiotics. However, no systematic report on the influence of different antibiotics on wound healing has been conducted.…”