A L Cope1, F Wood1, N A Francis1, I G Chestnutt2. 1. Cochrane Institute of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Third Floor, Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff, Wales, CF14 4YS. 2. Dental Public Health, Applied Clinical Research and Public Health, Cardiff University Dental School, School of Dentistry, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Heath Park, Cardiff, Wales, CF14 4XY.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dentists are responsible for 9-10% of all antibiotics dispensed in primary care in the UK, many of which may be provided contrary to clinical guidelines. Since antibiotic consumption has been identified as a major cause of antibiotic resistance, dental prescribing may be a significant contributor to this important public health problem.Objective This study aims to explore general dental practitioners' (GDPs) perceptions and attitudes towards antibiotic use and resistance. METHOD: Qualitative interview study with 19 purposively sampled GDPs working in Wales. A set of open-ended questions were developed and amended during semi-structured telephone interviews. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and codes were developed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Perceptions of antibiotic use and resistance varied widely between practitioners, particularly with respect to the prevalence and impact of resistant strains on the management of dentoalveolar infection, and the impact of dental prescribing on the emergence of resistance. GDPs reported that their antibiotic prescribing decisions were driven by both clinical pressures and wider public health considerations. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions to enhance the quality of antibiotic prescribing in primary care dentistry should address issues associated with inappropriate prescribing as well as providing education about the causes, prevalence and impact of antibiotic resistance.
BACKGROUND: Dentists are responsible for 9-10% of all antibiotics dispensed in primary care in the UK, many of which may be provided contrary to clinical guidelines. Since antibiotic consumption has been identified as a major cause of antibiotic resistance, dental prescribing may be a significant contributor to this important public health problem.Objective This study aims to explore general dental practitioners' (GDPs) perceptions and attitudes towards antibiotic use and resistance. METHOD: Qualitative interview study with 19 purposively sampled GDPs working in Wales. A set of open-ended questions were developed and amended during semi-structured telephone interviews. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and codes were developed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Perceptions of antibiotic use and resistance varied widely between practitioners, particularly with respect to the prevalence and impact of resistant strains on the management of dentoalveolar infection, and the impact of dental prescribing on the emergence of resistance. GDPs reported that their antibiotic prescribing decisions were driven by both clinical pressures and wider public health considerations. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions to enhance the quality of antibiotic prescribing in primary care dentistry should address issues associated with inappropriate prescribing as well as providing education about the causes, prevalence and impact of antibiotic resistance.
Authors: R A C Chate; S White; L R O Hale; A P Howat; J Bottomley; J Barnet-Lamb; J Lindsay; T I Davies; J M Heath Journal: Br Dent J Date: 2006-11-25 Impact factor: 1.626
Authors: Peter B Lockhart; Malavika P Tampi; Elliot Abt; Anita Aminoshariae; Michael J Durkin; Ashraf F Fouad; Prerna Gopal; Benjamin W Hatten; Erinne Kennedy; Melanie S Lang; Lauren L Patton; Thomas Paumier; Katie J Suda; Lauren Pilcher; Olivia Urquhart; Kelly K O'Brien; Alonso Carrasco-Labra Journal: J Am Dent Assoc Date: 2019-11 Impact factor: 3.634
Authors: Rumana Newlands; Eilidh M Duncan; Maria Prior; Paula Elouafkaoui; Andrew Elders; Linda Young; Jan E Clarkson; Craig R Ramsay Journal: Implement Sci Date: 2016-01-29 Impact factor: 7.327
Authors: Maurizio Labbate; Dale Dominey-Howes; Annie Zhuo; Jacqueline M Norris; Gwendolyn L Gilbert; Michael P Ward; Beata V Bajorek; Chris Degeling; Samantha J Rowbotham; Angus Dawson; Ky-Anh Nguyen; Grant A Hill-Cawthorne; Tania C Sorrell; Merran Govendir; Alison M Kesson; Jonathan R Iredell Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2018-03-30 Impact factor: 2.692