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Antibiotic prescribing practices among Norwegian dentists
H R Preus1, J M Albandar, P Gjermo
1Department of Oral Biology, State University of New York, Buffalo.
Scandinavian Journal of Dental Research
|August 1, 1992
Summary
Norwegian dentists prescribe antibiotics restrictively, with periodontists and oral surgeons prescribing more frequently. Most dentists correctly select antibiotics for various dental conditions.
Area of Science:
- Dental Pharmacology
- Infectious Disease Management
- Public Health Dentistry
Background:
- Limited data exists on general antibiotic prescription habits among dentists.
- Understanding prescribing patterns is crucial for antimicrobial stewardship in dentistry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the patterns of antibiotic prescription among Norwegian dentists.
- To identify factors influencing antibiotic prescribing behavior in dental practice.
Main Methods:
- A random sample of 459 Norwegian dentists participated in a survey.
- Questionnaires collected data on demographics, practice type, education, and antibiotic prescribing patterns.
- Response rate was 78%.
Main Results:
- 32% of dentists did not prescribe antibiotics weekly; 5% prescribed more than 5. Mean weekly prescriptions were 2.04 per dentist.
- Periodontists and oral surgeons prescribed significantly more than general practitioners.
- Over one-third of dentists may prescribe antibiotics for periodontal diseases; specific patterns varied by condition.
Conclusions:
- Norwegian dentists exhibit a generally restrictive approach to antibiotic prescribing.
- Prescribing habits differ by dental specialty and experience level.
- Antibiotic selection appears appropriate for most indicated conditions.