A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY TO DETERMINE THE INJUDICIOUS USAGE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN ENDODONTICS

Most endodontic infections can be successfully treated with surgery such as pulp extraction and root canal treatment or incision and drainage, without the need for topical or systemic antibiotics. The use of antibiotics in dental practice is characterized by an empirical prescription based on clinical and bacteriological factors that result in the development of antimicrobial resistance. This study investigated the practice of prescribing antibiotics for various endodontic pathologies, and the results showed that 15.4% of endodontists and 65.6% of non-endodontists were prescribing antibiotics for irreversible pulpitis. In symptomatic cases of apical periodontitis, 38.5% of endodontists and 56.3% of non-endodontists prescribed antibiotics. The study involved trainees, assistants and faculty members from the dental department of Punjab Dental Hospital, Lahore for six months duration from October 2019 to March 2020. Conclusion: The trend of massive antibiotic use should be discouraged and dentists should be encouraged to control antibiotic prescription for optimal effect, avoid formation of resistant strains and reduce patient exposure to potential toxicity and hypersensitivity reactions. Key words: careless use, antibiotics, antibiotic resistance