IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 13, Issue 7 Ver. III (July. 2014), PP 68-72 www.iosrjournals.org www.iosrjournals.org 68 | Page Misuse of antibiotics: A potential threat Neha Saini 1 , Varun Saini 2 , Priya Wadhwa Mehta 3 1 (Department of Periodontics Jaipur Dental College, Jaipur,India) 2 (Department of Prosthodontics, RR Dental College, Udaipur, India) 3 (Department of Periodontics , VSPM Dental College & Research Centre,Nagpur,India) Abstract: Introduction: Antibiotics are invaluable adjuncts in the management of orofacial infections. Role of dentists & injudicious use of antibiotics resulting in antimicrobial resistance is unknown. Therefore a survey was conducted. Aims & Objectives: To assess the types and frequency of antibiotic prescriptions , by dental practitioners in the state of Rajasthan , India. Method: A two page questionnaire was mailed to 525 dental practitioners & the results were assessed. Results: A total of 500 dentists responded to the questionnaire . Discussion: Confusion about prescribing antibiotics & inappropriate prescribing practises , however are reported by dentists (Steed et al 1997) . Patients not finishing the prescribed doses , wrong prescription , inefficient tools for diagnosing & preventing drug resistance , lack of Govt. commitment to address these issues are various factors that may affect development of antibiotic resistant microorganisms. (Loesche 1996) Conclusion: Amoxicillin - Clavulunic acid combination was the most preferred antibiotic prescribed by dental practitioners for orodental infections followed by amoxicillin & ofloxacin ornidazole combination. Discrepancies were noted in the prophylactic use of antibiotics , which supports the need for educational initiatives to promote rational use of antibiotics in dentistry. Keywords: misuse , antibiotics, dental practices , orofacial infections I. Introduction Various periodontal diseases are caused by bacterial infections . Antibiotics are valuable adjuncts in the management of orofacial infections . The evidence is at present insufficient to recommend systemic antimicrobial therapy as monotherapy ( i.e. as stand alone treatment without scaling & root planing or surgery) . Antibiotics are not a substitute for definitive treatment but their use can shorten infection periods & minimise associated risks such as the spread of infection to adjacent anatomical spaces or systemic involvement [1]. The prescription of antibiotics in dentistry is relatively small but nonetheless significant. Injudicious prescription of antibiotics by doctors , healthcare workers & patients using it on their own has resulted in emerging microbial resistance to various antibiotics & this trend is likely to continue given the widespread use of antibiotics [2] . With the emergence of bacterial species resistant to antibiotics there is a need to become vigilant about their prescription and with this, an urgent requirement for both professional and public understanding of the appropriate use of this life-saving component of treatment [3].Minimizing the occurrence of antibiotic misuse and abuse has global implications for the containment of resistant bacterial strains [4]. WHO has considered the emergence of resistance microorganisms as a serious global health concern [5]. A survey in the form of a questionnaire was conducted to assess the current antibiotic use by general dental practitioners & specialists. This paper discusses some of the current understanding of prescribing practices by dentists in the state of Rajasthan , India. II. Methods The dental practitioners were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding demographic data, prescribing practices, and knowledge about antibiotic use. A random sample of 525 dentists participated in the survey. The results were analysed using statistical software. III. Results Of the 525 surveys mailed,500 were returned .The respondents were registered dentists with mean age of 41 yrs. All of them were aware of the rising alarm on antibiotic misuse .They considered that the main causes of antibiotic resistance were patients not finishing the prescribed doses (87%) , wrong prescription (80%) , substandard doses (67% ) , inefficient tools for diagnosing antibiotic resistance (28%) , lack of Govt. commitment to address these issues (9%) & poor surveillance (8%) .