Antibiotics, boon or a bane? A survey on knowledge, attitude, and practice

Background: Dentists prescribe antibiotics in the context of managing oro-dental infections. It is seen that the number of prescriptions is on a rise each year. Furthermore, popping of an antibiotic for any and every reason by a common man has led to an overuse and misuse of antibiotics among the general population. However, literature suggests that there have been a substantial increase in the number of antibiotic prescriptions by each year by the dentists. Limited numbers of studies have been carried out in India to assay the prescription pattern of antibiotics among the dental practitioners. Objective: This survey was carried to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of antibiotic prescriptions and awareness on antibiotic resistance among the dental practitioners in an institution in Mangalore. Materials and Methods: A self-devised questionnaire was prepared in English to collect the demographic data and information regarding the prescription pattern of antibiotics among dentists in an institution in Mangalore. Results: The survey evidenced a response rate of about 78%. Our survey showed that there was adequate knowledge about the antibiotics and noted a fair antibiotic prescribing practice by the dental practitioners. Although, we felt that there were certain conditions that the dental practitioners prescribed antibiotics where an operative intervention would have sufficed, necessitating a need for development of clear guidelines on the antibiotic prescribing practices for the dental practitioners. Conclusion: Dental infections arise as a result of local factors. Hence, antibiotics should be used only as an adjunct to the operative intervention. Judicious antibiotic prescription by the dental practitioners needs to be checked on by establishing a surveillance system. Furthermore, due importance needs to be given to the general public against the misuse of the antibiotics which would help us to have a control over the antibiotic resistance crisis.