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Can audit improve antibiotic prescribing in general dental practice?
N A Palmer1, Y M Dailey, M V Martin
1Department of Clinical Dental Sciences, University of Liverpool.
British Dental Journal
|September 29, 2001
Summary
Clinical audit significantly improved antibiotic prescribing by general dental practitioners. This intervention reduced unnecessary prescriptions and promoted adherence to national guidelines for more appropriate antibiotic use.
Area of Science:
- Dental Public Health
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Audit
Background:
- Antibiotic prescribing in general dental practice requires optimization.
- Clinical audit offers a potential strategy to improve prescribing practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of clinical audit on general dental practitioners' antibiotic prescribing.
- To assess changes in antibiotic prescription patterns following an educational intervention and guideline dissemination.
Main Methods:
- An intervention study involving 175 general dental practitioners in North West England.
- Data collection on antibiotic prescriptions (drug, dose, frequency, duration, indication) over two six-week periods.
- Comparison of prescribing practices before and after a clinical audit with an educational component and guidelines.
Main Results:
- Antibiotic prescriptions decreased by 42.5% (from 2316 to 1330) post-audit.
- Significant changes in antibiotic regimens were observed (P<0.001).
- A significant reduction in non-compliant prescriptions was noted (P<0.05).
Conclusions:
- Clinical audit, incorporating education and guidelines, effectively modifies dental antibiotic prescribing.
- This approach leads to more rational and appropriate antibiotic utilization in general dental practice.