University Publications

Background: Dentists prescribe antibiotics for many conditions. Antibiotics prescription becomes an essential aspect of dental practice. Most dental and periodontal diseases are managed by operative intervention and oral hygiene measures. Therefore, indications for systemic antibiotics in dentistry are limited. However, literature provides evidence of inadequate prescribing practices by dentists, which contributes to emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The aim of this study to investigate practice of antibiotics’ prescription among Sudanese dentists. Methodology: This study was conducted at Khartoum dental teaching hospital in 2017. A Self- administered, structured questionnaire was constructed and distributed to all dentinal practitioners (195 dentists). Data were computed and analyzed using SPSS 23 software. Results: 123 questionnaires were filled and retuned the response rate 63%. Majority of respondents were females. Thirteen % of respondents received postgraduate education. The most common prescription was the combination of amoxicillin and metronidazole and for patients with allergy to penicillin was erythromycin. 66% used to prescribe antibiotics regularly after extraction. Considerable responders prescribed antibiotics as prophylaxis and for non-clinical factors like unsure of diagnosis, patient expectation of antibiotic and Delay/ unable to complete treatment. Conclusion: There is overprescribing of antibiotics, as documented earlier in comparable settings. Significant number of the practitioners surveyed prescribe antibiotic prophylaxis for clinical procedures and medical conditions for which there is little evidence.