Antibiotic indication in endodontics by Colombian dentists with different levels of training: a survey

This study investigated how Colombian dentists with different academic levels indicate antibiotics with therapeutic purposes in endodontics.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 559 dentists in the form of an online questionnaire.

Three hundred and twenty questionnaires were answered (57.2%). There were significant differences among respondents. For irreversible pulpitis, 140 dentists (43.7%) said they prescribe antibiotics (57.5% of general practitioners, 20.1% of specialists and 38.9% of those with Master's and/or PhD degrees), while for symptomatic apical periodontitis, 183 (57.2%) did so (74.1% of general practitioners, 28.4% of specialists and 50.0% of those with Master's and/or PhD degrees) (p<0.05). Amoxicillin was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic, and its association with clavulanic acid was the most often cited for acute periradicular abscess with systemic involvement.

The greatest misunderstandings in prescribing antibiotics occurred among general practitioners. Considering all clinical conditions that do not require antibiotics, 60% of general practitioners and 34% of specialists, on average, indicated antibiotics.