ORAL MICROBIOLOGY
KNOWLEDGE AND PATTERNS OF ANTIBIOTIC PRESCRIPTION
AMONG DENTAL PRACTITIONERS IN HAIL, SAUDI ARABIA
Hazza A. Alhobeira 1a , Juma Alkhabuli 2b* , Maleeha Fraih 1c
Department of Restorative Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Hail, Hail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Basic Medical and Dental Sciences Department, RAK College of Dental Sciences (RAKCODS), RAK Medical and Health Sciences University,
Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), United Arab Emirates
1
2
PhD, MDentSci, MRDI, BDS, Assistant Professor, Head, Vice Dean
BDS, MDentSci, MFDS RCPS (Glasg), FICD, PhD, Chairperson
c
BDS, General Dental Practitioner
a
b
Received: November 04, 2017
Revised: November 18, 2017
Acccepted: December 12, 2017
Published: December 13, 2017
Academic Editor: Gabriela Băncescu, MD, PhD, Professor, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
Cite this article:
Alhobeira HA, Alkhabuli J, Fraih M. Knowledge and patterns of antibiotic prescription among dental practitioners in Hail, Saudi Arabia.
Stoma Edu J. 2017;4(4):254-263
ABSTRACT
DOI: 10.25241/stomaeduj.2017.4(4).art.2
Introduction: Presence of various bacterial strains resistant to antibiotics is a genuine issue to medical
professionals. Unjustified over prescription of antibiotics by dental practitioners (DP) is well recognized. The
aim of this study was to explore the knowledge and patterns of antibiotic prescription and related antibiotic
resistance among dental surgeons working in Hail, Saudi Arabia.
Methodology: A questionnaire was distributed to 150 DP working in the district of Hail, Saudi Arabia. The
questionnaire sought answers to the common dental conditions for which antibiotic would be prescribed.
The possible contributing factors in development of antibiotic resistance were also sought.
Results: Out of the 150 questionnaires sent out 101(67%) were filled in by the DP. About 85% were males
and 15% were females. Most of the DP would prescribe antibiotics for elevated temperature (86.1%), diffuse
swelling (75.2%) and swelling causing eye closure (90.1%). Antibiotic prescription would be considered
for pericoronitis, cellulitis and trismus by 68.3%, 89.1% and 40.6% of the DP respectively. However, 55.4%
would prescribe antibiotics for fluctuant localized swelling, 75.2% to reduce postoperative complications and
73.3.8% for surgical extraction.
Generally, amoxicillin was the most preferred drug of choice, and nearly 36% of the DP preferred amoxicillin-
clavulanate in treatment of cellulitis. About 67% thought that the widespread use of antibiotics was the main
contributing factor in development of antibiotic resistance.
Conclusion: Despite of the moderate knowledge of DP, a substantial percentage continue to prescribe
antibiotics indiscriminately and irrationally. The results reveal that further work and efforts are required to
acquaint the DP of the risk of unjustified antibiotic use and bacterial-resistance development.
Keywords: antimicrobial, dental practitioner, use of antibiotics, bacterial resistance.
1. Introduction
Antibiotic therapy is playing major role in treatment
of various infectious diseases. There is no doubt that
the safe use of systemic antibiotics has improved
the quality of life dramatically and increased life
expectancy for millions of people worldwide.
Despite the crucial benefits of systemic antibiotics,
there has been an explosion in the number of
bacteria that have become resistant to several
drugs in use. In fact, not the antibiotics per se is the
offender, as they remain one of the most powerful
biological armaments against ailments caused by
microbial infection. Nevertheless the inappropriate
and irrational use of the antibiotics resulted in
catastrophic situation attributed to development
of bacterial strains resistant to a wide range of
antibiotics.
Furthermore, use of antibiotics for self-medication
has been documented in general population in
various developing and developed countries. 1
Several studies have demonstrated high prevalence
of self-medication with antibiotics among medical
and non-medical students. 2 The misuse of antibiotics
is of risk to both the individual and the community at
large as it leads to increased risk of adverse effects
and emergence of bacterial resistance. 3 Among the
many factors that contribute to misuse of antibiotics
is the liberal dispensing of antibiotics by pharmacists
without prescription.
The flora of the oral cavity is comprised of diverse
range of microorganisms including bacteria,
fungi and protozoa. However, a small percentage