Self-declarative Performance of General Dentists in Prescribing Analgesics and Antibiotics for Patients Requiring Root Canal Treatment

Fatemeh Dibaji; Reza Yazdani; Sara Sajadi; Elahe Mohamadi; Fatemeh Mohammadian; Mohammad Javad  Kharazi Fard

doi:10.18502/fid.v18i13.6138

Fatemeh Dibaji Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, International Campus, Tehran, Iran
Reza Yazdani Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Sara Sajadi Private Practice, Tehran, Iran
Elahe Mohamadi Private Practice, Tehran, Iran
Fatemeh Mohammadian Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, International Campus, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Javad Kharazi Fard Dental Research Center, Dentistry Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/fid.v18i13.6138

Keywords: Analgesics; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Dentists; Root Canal Therapy

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the self-declarative performance of general dentists in prescription of analgesics and antibiotics for patients requiring root canal treatment (RCT).

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 400 general dentists participating in the 55^th International Annual Scientific Congress of the Iranian Dental Association (2015) were randomly selected, and requested to complete a questionnaire about their performance regarding prescribing analgesics and antibiotics for patients requiring RCT. The frequency and percentage of answers to each question were calculated and reported.

Results: The most commonly prescribed analgesics included ibuprofen (100.0%), Gelofen (100.0%), Novafen (68.5%) and acetaminophen (24.8%). After RCT, dentists prescribed ibuprofen (100.0%), Gelofen (98.3%), dexamethasone (35.3%), Novafen (27.3%) and acetaminophen/codeine (15.8%) in decreasing order of frequency. Antibiotic prescription was minimum (48.5%) for cases with painful (moderate or severe) irreversible pulpitis (vital tooth) before the treatment and maximum for cases of pulp necrosis with acute apical periodontitis, edema, and preoperative symptoms (moderate or severe) (97.3%). For non-allergic patients, the most frequently prescribed antibiotics were amoxicillin 500 mg (93.3%), cefixime 400 mg (81.3%), amoxicillin/metronidazole 250 mg (71.8%), co-amoxiclav 265 mg (36.3%) and injectable penicillin (0.5%). For allergic patients, dentists prescribed clindamycin 300 mg (84.0%), cephalexin 500 mg (15.8%), azithromycin 500 mg (13.5%), and erythromycin 500 mg (10.8%). Sex and graduation date had no significant effect on the results (P>0.05).

Conclusion: Antibiotic prescription is excessive by general dentists, and their performance regarding the proper and logical prescription of antibiotics in RCT should be improved.