Evaluation of Knowledge About Antibiotics Prescription During Periodontal Therapy Among Dental Students: An Observational Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Despite the fact that antibiotics and analgesics are regularly prescribed by dentists, little is known regarding the dental practitioners' knowledge and comprehension of their usage in daily clinical practice. A lack of sufficient training for dental students is a possible cause of prescription mistakes. For the purpose of determining whether dental students are capable of rationally prescribing antibiotics by the time they graduate, this research examined dental students' understanding of administering antibiotics. METHODS: The dentistry students' understanding of prescription antibiotics was assessed by means of a questionnaire. Participants in this research were undergraduates in their third and fourth year of Buraydah Private College of Dentistry and Pharmacy. Students at college were asked to fill out a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: The majority of antibiotics provided were in the right dosage and dosage form, although the frequency and length of treatment varied widely. Some 75.3% of the time, amoxicillin was administered in this research, followed by metronidazole (6.2%), tetracycline (4.1%), and erythromycin (3.2%). CONCLUSION: Continuing education on the sensible use of antibiotics in dental infections is essential, and it is best when this is done in conjunction with its use in clinical settings. To ensure that dentistry students are competent and responsible prescribers of antibiotics at the time of graduation, prescription guidelines are needed.