ANALYSIS OF KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES OF PATIENTS REGARDING ANTIBIOTICS USED FOR DENTAL PROBLEMS

In dentistry, the use of antibiotics prophylactically and therapeutically has become common practice. The basic aim of the study is to analyze the knowledge and practices of patients regarding antibiotics used for dental problems. This cross sectional study was conducted in Jinnah postgraduate Medical Center Karachi during January 2020 to June 2020. A self-completed questionnaire containing both closed and open ended questions was developed. The questionnaire included (i): general information, (ii): perception and knowledge of antibiotic resistance, (iii): reported management of oral problems, (iv): perceptions about oral infections and (v): perceptions of how people perceive oral problems. Ninety-four (67.1%) of the respondents had attended a CPD course on antibiotic use in the last one year, 8.6% at least once in the last two years, and 7.1% in the last five years while 4.3% reported not having had any since commencement of dental practice. The most common source of the CPD was from drug sales representatives with 28.6%; self-directed learning with 25.7%; conferences with 14.3%; journal clubs with 5.7%; dental schools with 4.3%; hospitals/clinics with 1.4% and a combination of the above with 10.0%. It is concluded that dental students may prescribe antibiotics inappropriately to manage various oral and systemic conditions when they are not indicate