Ivana Šutej1, Matej Par2, Dragan Lepur3, Kristina Peroš1, Hrvoje Pintarić4, Ivan Alajbeg5, Lovro Vuger6. 1. Assist. Prof. of Pharmacology, School of Dental Medicine, University in Zagreb, Croatia. 2. Postdoctoral fellow of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University in Zagreb, Croatia. 3. Assoc. Prof. of Infectious Diseases., School of Dental Medicine, University in Zagreb, Croatia. 4. Prof. of Internal Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, University in Zagreb, Croatia. 5. Prof. of Oral Medicine. School of Dental Medicine, University in Zagreb, Croatia. 6. Dentist at private practice, Zagreb Croatia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to assess the attitude, practice, and knowledge of Croatian dentists regarding infective endocarditis (IE) prophylaxis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, self-reporting questionnaire survey was conducted with the participation of 348 Croatian dentists. The questionnaire was designed to collect information on participants' work experience, place of work, their attitudes related to the treatment of IE-risk patients, knowledge and adherence to IE antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines. RESULTS: Knowledge and adherence to the current guidelines decreased with the higher years of experience. Compliance with the current guidelines varied, mostly because of respondents' insecurity regarding which guidelines to follow. AHA guidelines have been most frequently the first choice (25% participants). Surprisingly, 23% of dentists didn't follow any of the official guidelines. The majority of participants (68%) have declared a lack of preparedness or willingness to treat the patients at risk of IE. Dentists with specialty or working at university/hospital have shown a higher level of knowledge and preparedness to treat IE-risk patients. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of knowledge of guidelines and consequent inconsistencies in IE antibiotic prophylaxis in Croatian dental practice indicates the need for urgent improvement. Key words:Antibiotic prophylaxis, dentistry, infective endocarditis. Copyright:
BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to assess the attitude, practice, and knowledge of Croatian dentists regarding infective endocarditis (IE) prophylaxis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, self-reporting questionnaire survey was conducted with the participation of 348 Croatian dentists. The questionnaire was designed to collect information on participants' work experience, place of work, their attitudes related to the treatment of IE-risk patients, knowledge and adherence to IE antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines. RESULTS: Knowledge and adherence to the current guidelines decreased with the higher years of experience. Compliance with the current guidelines varied, mostly because of respondents' insecurity regarding which guidelines to follow. AHA guidelines have been most frequently the first choice (25% participants). Surprisingly, 23% of dentists didn't follow any of the official guidelines. The majority of participants (68%) have declared a lack of preparedness or willingness to treat the patients at risk of IE. Dentists with specialty or working at university/hospital have shown a higher level of knowledge and preparedness to treat IE-risk patients. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of knowledge of guidelines and consequent inconsistencies in IE antibiotic prophylaxis in Croatian dental practice indicates the need for urgent improvement. Key words:Antibiotic prophylaxis, dentistry, infective endocarditis. Copyright:
Authors: Leah S Spittle; Kathleen B Muzzin; Patricia R Campbell; Janice P DeWald; Francisco Rivera-Hidalgo Journal: J Contemp Dent Pract Date: 2017-07-01