Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Antibiotics and Its Usage in Pediatric Dentistry

Abstract

Background: The main aim of dentistry is in the management of dental infections or restoring the tooth into its proper form and function resulting from microbial action. As an aid to this, antibiotics have been routinely used in dental clinics in cases of microbial infection and during dental procedures. The injudicious use of antibiotics has resulted in the increased incidences of antibiotic resistance. The extensive consumption of antibiotics has resulted in WHO claiming it as a worldwide problem. Antibiotic resistance is ever evolving and affects even children but there has not been enough literature or studies done on the awareness of usage of antibiotics in children among dental practitioners in India. Aim of the study: To determine the awareness on the usage of antibiotics in Pediatric dentistry among dentists. Materials and method: A total of 132 participants who belonged to the dental fraternity participated in this survey. Results: A total of 132 practitioners participated in the study and it was observed that 69.8% of the dentists preferred prescribing antibiotics to children with Endocarditis followed by intra (or) extra oral swelling/ sinus tract. Most practitioners (68.3%) preferred prescribing Amoxicillin to children and 66.2%  prescribed 20-40mg of amoxicillin/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours. 89.9% of the dentists prescribed Metronidazole only in the caseōf dentoalveolar abscess and 64.7% of them prescribed it in a dosage of 20-30mg/kg/day. 65.5% of the dentists were aware that the widespread use of antibiotics can cause drug resistance. Conclusion: Most practitioners were not aware of the usage of antibiotics in cases of traumas. All dentists should be kept up to date on the various scenarios and doses of antibiotics prescribed to children to reduce the incidences of antibiotic resistance.