Trends in Systemic Antibiotic Therapy of Endodontic Infections: a Survey among Dental Practitioners in Lithuania

OBJECTIVES: Prescription trends to certain antibiotic classes in Lithuania have been observed. Considering the potential contribution to antimicrobial resistance and the evidence of inappropriate prescriptions highlights, the periodical assessment of antibiotic consumption trends is required. The aim of this study was to assess prescription behaviours of Lithuanian general dental practitioners concerning the systemic antibiotic therapy of endodontic infections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A sample of 198 Lithuanian dentists, registered on the database of the Lithuanian Dental Chamber, provided anonymous information about their clinical work by means of an online questionnaire. RESULTS: Among the participants, antibiotics were prescribed in less than 20% of endodontic cases. Most common diagnosis for the prescription was symptomatic apical periodontitis with periostitis (90%) and apical abscesses with systemic involvement (54%). Amoxicillin and co-amoxiclav were the preferred choices for the antimicrobial therapy. The preference of clavulanic acid combination over simple usage of amoxicillin is increasing relative to the participants age (P = 0.016) and working experience (P = 0.008). Clindamycin is prescribed in cases of allergy to beta-lactams. Practitioners with less years of clinical activity were more likely to prescribe antibiotics for spreading infections, than their associates with more than 10 years of practice (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians of higher age were found to be more likely to prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotic combinations compared to their younger associates. The majority of practitioners were aware of the clinical recommendations.