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Sović J, Šegović S, Pavelić B, Bago I, Šutej I, Tomašić I. Patterns of Antibiotic Prescription in Endodontic Therapy in the Republic of Croatia. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:645. [PMID: 39061327 PMCID: PMC11273622 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13070645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In response to the global trend of decreasing antibiotic usage, this study aimed to evaluate the nature and frequency of antibiotic prescriptions in conjunction with endodontic therapy in Croatia and to assess the attitudes of Croatian dental practitioners towards the endodontic treatment of patients susceptible to bacterial endocarditis. A survey questionnaire was sent to all dental practitioners in Croatia, achieving a response rate of 27%. The most frequently prescribed antibiotic was penicillin with clavulanic acid (63.4%), while standalone penicillin was less prevalent (18.6%). For patients exhibiting penicillin allergies, 90% of respondents indicated clindamycin as their preferred alternative. Antibiotics were mostly prescribed for localized acute apical abscesses without fever, followed by prophylaxis for infectious endocarditis and cellulitis. Only 1.3% of the respondents reported frequent antibiotic prescriptions without accompanying local treatment. While a substantial proportion of surveyed practitioners professed familiarity with the latest guidelines for antibiotic prophylaxis, their choice of antibiotics did not consistently reflect this claim. Most respondents conducted endodontic procedures on patients at risk of bacterial endocarditis. The findings highlight a need for targeted continuing education for dental practitioners in the Republic of Croatia, ensuring their practices align with current guidelines and global trends in antibiotic prescription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josipa Sović
- PhD Postgraduate Study, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Dental Clinic, Health Center Križevci, 48260 Križevci, Croatia
| | - Sanja Šegović
- Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (B.P.); (I.B.)
| | - Božidar Pavelić
- Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (B.P.); (I.B.)
| | - Ivona Bago
- Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (B.P.); (I.B.)
| | - Ivana Šutej
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Ivan Tomašić
- School of Innovation, Design and Engineering, Mälardalen University, 721 23 Västerås, Sweden;
- Department of Communication Systems, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Petrac L, Gvozdanovic K, Perkovic V, Petek Zugaj N, Ljubicic N. Antibiotics Prescribing Pattern and Quality of Prescribing in Croatian Dental Practices-5-Year National Study. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:345. [PMID: 38667021 PMCID: PMC11047605 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13040345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health today. The aim of this study was to analyze antibiotic prescribing patterns and quality of prescribing in Croatian dental practices over a 5-year period. METHODS This is a retrospective observational study based on the analysis of the electronic prescriptions (medicines in ATC groups J01 and P01) from dental practices in Croatia prescribed from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2019. Prescriptions were retrieved from the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO). The analyses included the number of prescriptions, type and quantity of prescribed drugs, indication, and the patient's and prescriber's characteristics. RESULTS The consumption increased from 1.98 DID in 2015, to 2.10 DID in 2019. The most prescribed antibiotic was Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid followed by Amoxicillin, Clindamycin, Metronidazole and Cefalexin. The analyses showed that 29.79% of antibiotics were not prescribed in accordance with the contemporary guidelines for the proper use of antibiotics. Additionally, 22% of antibiotics were prescribed in inconclusive indications. CONCLUSION The research showed an increase in antibiotic consumption over five years along with unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics in cases with no indications for its use. The development of national guidelines for antibiotic use is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucija Petrac
- School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Vjera Perkovic
- Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | | | - Neven Ljubicic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Hospital Sisters of Mercy, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
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Méndez-Millán JA, León-López M, Martín-González J, Saúco-Márquez JJ, Cabanillas-Balsera D, Segura-Egea JJ. Antibiotic Over-Prescription by Dentists in the Treatment of Apical Periodontitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:289. [PMID: 38666965 PMCID: PMC11047734 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13040289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
After pulp infection and necrosis, the passage of microbial antigens into the periapical space causes apical periodontitis (AP). Most of the clinical forms of AP can be managed without prescribing antibiotics, only with root canal treatment and abscess drainage or, where appropriate, tooth extraction. However, the scientific literature provides evidence of inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions by dentists in the management of apical disease. OBJECTIVES The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyze the global pattern of antibiotic prescription in the treatment of apical disease. METHODS PRISMA Guidelines were followed to carry out this systematic review. The research question was as follows: What is the pattern of antibiotic prescription by dentists in the treatment of the different clinical forms of apical periodontitis? A systematic search was conducted on MEDLINE/PubMed, Wiley Online Database, Web of Science and Scopus. All studies reporting data about the pattern of antibiotic prescription by dentists in the treatment of apical disease were included. The meta-analyses were calculated using the Open Meta Analyst version 10.10 software. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE. RESULTS The search strategy identified 96 articles and thirty-nine cross-sectional studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The overall percentage of antibiotic prescriptions by dentists in cases of symptomatic AP was 25.8%, and 31.5% in cases of asymptomatic AP with sinus tract present. The percentage of dentists prescribing antibiotics in cases of acute apical abscess with no/mild symptoms was 47.7%, whereas, in cases of acute apical abscess with moderate/severe symptoms, 88.8% of dentists would prescribe antibiotics. Endodontists prescribe antibiotics at a lower rate than general practitioners. The total risk of bias was considered moderate, and the final rating for the certainty of the evidence was low. CONCLUSIONS Dentists worldwide are over-prescribing antibiotics in the management of apical disease. It is necessary to improve antibiotic prescribing habits in the treatment of endodontic infections, as well as educational initiatives to encourage the rational and appropriate prescription of antibiotics in periapical diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Daniel Cabanillas-Balsera
- Department of Stomatology (Endodontic Section), School of Dentistry, University of Sevilla, C/Avicena s/n, 41009 Sevilla, Spain; (J.A.M.-M.); (M.L.-L.); (J.M.-G.); (J.J.S.-M.)
| | - Juan J. Segura-Egea
- Department of Stomatology (Endodontic Section), School of Dentistry, University of Sevilla, C/Avicena s/n, 41009 Sevilla, Spain; (J.A.M.-M.); (M.L.-L.); (J.M.-G.); (J.J.S.-M.)
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Săndulescu O, Preoțescu LL, Streinu-Cercel A, Şahin GÖ, Săndulescu M. Antibiotic Prescribing in Dental Medicine-Best Practices for Successful Implementation. Trop Med Infect Dis 2024; 9:31. [PMID: 38393120 PMCID: PMC10892960 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed9020031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
With rising rates of antimicrobial resistance throughout the world, it is time to revisit antibiotic prescribing policies and practices, and dentistry is an important area for focused intervention, as it accounts for up to 15% of all antimicrobial prescriptions. In this narrative review, we have analyzed the current state of the knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding antimicrobial use among dental professionals, and we have identified a set of seven recurring themes that drive inappropriate antibiotic prescribing in dental medicine. These include: 1. Prescribing antibiotics to delay or avoid dental treatment. 2. Overlooking the 5Ds-dental treatment (source control), dental condition (indication), drug (antibiotic choice), dose, and duration. 3. Relying on education from the distant past and on previous experience. 4. The heterogeneity of (too many) guideline recommendations leads to confusion and over-prescribing. 5. Decreased access to guideline information in private practice. 6. Psychological factors such as pressure to prescribe, comfort prescribing and the weekend effect, and 7. Feeling removed from antimicrobial resistance and externalizing responsibility. Based on the existing knowledge, we propose a framework based on four key pillars for focused intervention: 1. Education. 2. Internalizing responsibility. 3. Recognizing recurring counter-productive practices, and 4. Addressing recurring counter-productive practices. This framework can be applied in different dental settings to ensure best practices for the successful implementation of rational antimicrobial prescribing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oana Săndulescu
- Department of Infectious Diseases I, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Prof. Dr. Matei Balș”, 021105 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Liliana Lucia Preoțescu
- Department of Infectious Diseases I, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Prof. Dr. Matei Balș”, 021105 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Adrian Streinu-Cercel
- Department of Infectious Diseases I, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Prof. Dr. Matei Balș”, 021105 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Gülşen Özkaya Şahin
- Department of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 223 62 Malmö, Sweden
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Section of Clinical Microbiology, Region Skåne, 221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | - Mihai Săndulescu
- Department of Implant-Prosthetic Therapy, Faculty of Dentistry, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 17-23 Calea Plevnei, 010221 Bucharest, Romania;
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Khijmatgar S, Bellucci G, Creminelli L, Tartaglia GM, Tumedei M. Systemic Antibiotic Use in Acute Irreversible Pulpitis: Evaluating Clinical Practices and Molecular Insights. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1357. [PMID: 38279358 PMCID: PMC10816036 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This scoping review systematically evaluates the use of systemic antibiotics in treating acute irreversible pulpitis, integrating clinical practice patterns with recent molecular insights. We analyzed clinical evidence on antibiotic prescription trends among dental professionals and examined molecular research advancements in relation to pulpitis. This review is intended to bridge the gap between clinical practice and molecular research, guiding more evidence-based approaches to treating acute irreversible pulpitis. Electronic databases were searched for relevant articles published in English based on the objective of the review. A second search using all identified keywords and index terms was undertaken across all the included databases. In addition, a reference list of identified articles was searched. Studies including original research, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, clinical trials, and observational and retrospective studies, all written in English and published from 2010 onwards, were included, and an analysis of the text words contained in the titles and abstracts of the retrieved papers and of the index terms used to describe the articles was performed. A total of N = 53 articles were selected. Altogether, N = 43 (76.79%) articles were cross-sectional studies, N = 4 (11.11%) were systematic reviews, and N = 3 (5.36%) were guidelines. The most frequent level of evidence was level VI (N = 43 (76.79%). The mean percentage of dentists who prescribed antibiotics to treat acute irreversible pulpitis was 23.89 ± 23.74% (range: 0.05-75.7). Similarly, for specialists, it was 22.41 ± 15.64 (range 2.2-50.4), and the percentage for undergraduates was 17.52 ± 20.59 (range 0-62.6). The significant developments in research models for pulpitis research and the characterisation of biomarkers have led to better management strategies. Concurrently, significant advancements in molecular research provide new understandings of pulpitis, suggesting alternative therapeutic approaches. Although there are guidelines available, increased rates of antibiotic prescription are still prevalent around the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahnawaz Khijmatgar
- Complex Structure of Surgical Maxillofacial and Odontostomatology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (G.B.); (L.C.)
| | - Gionata Bellucci
- Complex Structure of Surgical Maxillofacial and Odontostomatology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (G.B.); (L.C.)
| | - Luca Creminelli
- Complex Structure of Surgical Maxillofacial and Odontostomatology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (G.B.); (L.C.)
| | | | - Margherita Tumedei
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy;
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