Dentists' Habits of Antibiotic Prescribing May be Influenced by Patient Requests for Prescriptions

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates dentists' antibiotic prescribing habits and the frequency of facing patient pressure for prescriptions. METHODS: An online anonymous survey was used to collect data on antibiotic prescribing practices, including prescribing unnecessary antibiotics if requested by patients. RESULTS: The study population included 345 dentists; 227 (65.8%) were females and 118 (34.2%) were males. 54 (15.7%) reported that they prescribed unnecessary antibiotics more than once per week, 47 (13.6%) once per month, 135 (39.1%) rarely, and 109 (31.6%) never prescribed unnecessary antibiotics. 117 (33.9%) reported being pressured by patients to prescribe unnecessary antibiotics more than once per week. 110 (31.9%) reported being pressured by patients to do so at least once per month. There was a statistical difference between the two genders (P < 0.001) in reporting that patients pressured them to prescribe antibiotics when antibiotics were not necessary for treatment or prophylactic purposes and in prescribing unnecessary antibiotics sometimes if requested by a patient (P=0.008). In addition, there was a statistical difference in dentists' confidence in their knowledge and practice in the area of antibiotic prescribing (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results show that unnecessary antibiotic prescribing by dentists can be influenced by patient pressure.