An investigation of antibiotic prescribing by general dental practitioners: a pilot study.

PURPOSE OF STUDY

This pilot study was designed to investigate how general dental practitioners prescribe antibiotics.

METHODS

A total of 200 prescriptions were selected at random from 1775 prescriptions dispensed in 55 pharmacies across a Liverpool district. The type of antibiotic prescribed, the duration, frequency and dose were analysed. The legibility and any other errors or omissions were also noted.

RESULTS

The legibility of the prescriptions was good with very few errors or omissions from the patient details. Seven different types of antibiotics were used with amoxycillin being the most frequently prescribed (64.5%), followed by metronidazole (21.5%). Penicillin, erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline and cephradine were the other antibiotics prescribed. There was a wide variation in the duration, frequency and doses prescribed.

CONCLUSION

The results of this pilot study show that many practitioners prescribe antibiotics for inappropriately long periods and with inconsistent frequency and duration.