Understanding dentists' antibiotic prescribing behaviour in Spain: a focus group study.

Area of Science:

• Dental Public Health
• Antimicrobial Resistance
• One Health Framework

Background:

• Dentists account for 10% of antibiotic prescriptions.
• Up to 80% of dental antibiotic prescriptions may be inappropriate.
• Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global health concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore Spanish dentists' attitudes and perceptions regarding antibiotic use.
• To identify contextual factors influencing antibiotic prescribing in dentistry.
• To understand barriers and facilitators to appropriate antibiotic use.

Main Methods:

• Seven online focus groups conducted with 31 dentists in Spain (July-December 2022).
• Thematic analysis with a pragmatic orientation was used for data analysis.
• Participants included dentistry graduates and oral medicine specialists.

Main Results:

• Dentists acknowledge antibiotic resistance but don't see themselves as primary agents of change.
• Factors influencing inappropriate prescribing include fear, working conditions, burnout, and patient trust.
• Participants expressed a desire for further education on antimicrobial stewardship.

Conclusions:

• Educational interventions are crucial to highlight dentists' role in antimicrobial stewardship.
• Integrating interventions within the One Health framework can empower dentists.
• Strengthening dentists' role is vital for multidisciplinary strategies against antimicrobial resistance.