Prophylactic antibiotics prior to dental procedures: A cross-disciplinary survey of dentists and medical providers

• Published in: American journal of infection control Vol. 48; no. 1; pp. 116 - 118
• Main Authors: McCarthy, Morgan, Andrews, Rebecca, Banach, David B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.01.2020
• Subjects: Antibiotic Prophylaxis - psychology; Antibiotic Prophylaxis - statistics & numerical data; Antibiotics; Attitude of Health Personnel; Cross Infection - prevention & control; Cross Infection - psychology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dental Care - adverse effects; Dental Care - psychology; Dental Care - statistics & numerical data; Dentistry; Health Care Surveys; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Practice Patterns, Dentists' - statistics & numerical data; Practice Patterns, Physicians' - statistics & numerical data; Prophylaxis; Stewardship; Stewardship; Dentistry; Antibiotics; Prophylaxis
• ISSN: 0196-6553; 1527-3296; 1527-3296
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2019.06.019

•A survey of medical providers and dentists revealed that prescribing prophylactic antibiotic prior to dental procedures was common.•There were significant differences in beliefs and influences in prophylactic prescribing between groups.•Both groups expressed interest in additional education on prophylactic antibiotic prescribing prior to dental procedures. The prescription of prophylactic antibiotics prior to dental procedures is common, although factors influencing prescribing are poorly understood. We surveyed general and specialist medical providers and dentists on beliefs and attitudes regarding prophylactic antibiotic prescribing prior to dental procedures. There were significant differences in factors influencing decisions and perceived responsibility regarding prophylactic antibiotic prescribing between groups, although interest in additional education on the subject was high across both groups.