OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of Endodontic Postgraduate trainees regarding clinically
relevant situations where an antibiotic cover is needed and is focused on the prescription patterns of various antibiotics depending
on the clinical evaluation of the patients.
METHODOLOGY: A cross sectional study was performed in which data was collected from five different dental institutes
offering post-graduate residency in endodontics all over Karachi, Pakistan. Preferred antibiotic for odontogenic infections and
the duration for the antibiotic coverage were evaluated amongst postgraduate clinicians. A total of 100 questionnaires were
distributed out of which only 82 questionnaires came back with responses. The study was conducted for a period of one month
from August 2018- September 2018. The data collected was analyzed by SPSS version 21.
RESULTS: A combination of amoxicillin with Clavulanic acid was the first choice of antibiotic in patients with no known
allergies to penicillin (40.6%), whereas erythromycin was the first choice of antibiotic in patients having allergic reactions to
penicillin (39.3%). The duration of treatment on average was 5 days. In clinical situations of irreversible pulpitis, with or without
apical periodontitis, 74.3% and 67% of the respondents prescribed antibiotics. 78 % of respondents have prescribed antibiotics
in cases of necrotic pulp with acute apical periodontitis.
CONCLUSION: Our study concludes that antibiotic over prescription is very common amongst post graduate trainees and is
contributing towards a larger issue of antibiotic resistance. Proper protocols of prescription should be followed by professionals
and further refinement is required focusing on need, duration and choice of the antibiotic being used.
KEYWORDS: Antibiotics, Odontogenic infections, Endodontics, Microbial resistance
HOW TO CITE: Aliuddin AM, Morani SS, Sheikh A, Rashid S, Ali M, Abdullah F. Antibiotic prescribing practices of
endodontic postgraduate trainees in Karachi, Pakistan. J Pak Dent Assoc 2021;30(3):183-188.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.25301/JPDA.303.183
Received: 11 April 2020, Accepted: 16 February 2021
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