A Cross-Sectional Survey of Dentists on Antibiotic Prescribing and Allergy Management in Oral Surgery

This study aimed to evaluate antibiotic prescribing habits, guideline awareness, and allergy management practices among dentists performing oral surgical procedures in Turkey.

A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted with 263 dentists between January and March 2025. A 25-item questionnaire collected data on demographics, prescribing criteria, prophylactic use, guideline adherence, allergy/hypersensitivity management, and educational needs. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ankara University Faculty of Dentistry Ethics Committee (Decision No: 7/1). The data were analysed via descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests (P 0.05).

Penicillin-based antibiotics were most preferred (95.4%). Only 18.3% of the patients consistently followed clinical guidelines, and 16.0% referred patients for allergy testing. While 58.6% chose alternative antibiotics in suspected allergy cases, only 35.4% always informed patients about potential side effects. Awareness of national antibiotic guidelines was reported by 69.6%, but only 33.1% applied them. Statistically significant associations were found between professional title and both guideline adherence (P = 0.015) and monthly prescribing frequency (P = 0.018). Most dentists (77.9%) disagreed with stopping antibiotics when symptoms improved, preferring full courses.

Dentists in Türkiye frequently rely on empirical antibiotic prescribing in oral surgical procedures, with limited adherence to available clinical guidelines and insufficient attention to allergy management. Although awareness of antimicrobial resistance is relatively high, its translation into evidence-based practice remains inadequate. These findings emphasise the need for clearer national protocols, incorporation of antibiotic stewardship into dental education, and enhanced clinical training in allergy recognition to promote safer and more rational antibiotic use.