Antibiotic Stewardship in Endodontic Treatment: Evaluation Among Dental Interns
Abhilasha J. Bhawalkar, Anaya Marndi, Piyush Oswal, Anita Sanap, Ladusingh RajpurohitContext (Background):
Antibiotics are frequently prescribed in dental practice; however, irrational use, especially among undergraduates, contributes significantly to antimicrobial resistance. Endodontic therapy requires precise clinical judgment for antibiotic prescription, yet gaps in knowledge and practice remain underexplored.
Aims:
To evaluate the insight regarding the rational use of oral antibiotics for endodontic indications among dental interns.
Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 110 dental interns from a single institution. Google Forms were prepared and the link was circulated through emails. The questionnaire comprised 13 close-ended items covering demographics and questions evaluating their insights and stewardship aspects. Data acquired through Google Form response was evaluated. Content validity was established by expert review.
Statistical Analysis Used:
Descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) were calculated using Microsoft Excel.
Results:
Most interns (78.2%) considered antibiotics necessary for endodontic therapy. Extraoral facial swelling (56.4%) was the most common reason cited for prescription. Amoxicillin was the preferred antibiotic (64.5%), and clindamycin was chosen in penicillin allergy cases (51.8%). Although 70% recognized antibiotic resistance as a critical issue, inappropriate indications were still acknowledged.
Conclusion:
The study revealed moderate awareness but evident gaps in antibiotic stewardship. Formal undergraduate training on rational antibiotic use is warranted.