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References

Hicks LA, Bartoces MG, Roberts RM, Suda KJ, Hunkler RJ, Taylor TH, Schrag SJ. US outpatient antibiotic prescribing variation according to geography, patient population, and provider specialty in 2011. Clin Infect Dis. 2015; 60:1308-1316
Fleming-Dutra KE, Hersh AL, Shapiro DJ, Bartoces M, Enns EA, File TM Prevalence of inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions among US ambulatory care visits, 2010–2011. J Am Med Assoc. 2016; 315:(17)1864-1873
Antibiotic resistance threats in the United States, 2013. http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/pdf/ar-threats-2013-508.pdf (Accessed May 26, 2018)
Durkin MJ, Feng Q, Warren K, Lockhart PB, Thornhill MH, Munshi KD Assessment of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing among a large cohort of general dentists in the United States. J Am Dent Assoc. 2018; 149:372-381
American Dental Association. Oral Health Topics, Antibiotic Stewardship. http://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/antibiotic-steward-ship (Accessed May 26, 2018)
Sollecito TP, Abt E, Lockhart PB, Truelove E, Paumier TM, Tracy SL The use of prophylactic antibiotics prior to dental procedures in patients with prosthetic joints: evidence-based clinical practice guideline for dental practitioners – a report of the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs. J Am Dent Assoc. 2015; 146:11-16
Cope AL, Francis NA, Wood F, Chestnutt IG. Antibiotic prescribing in UK general dental practice: a cross-sectional study. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2016; 44:145-153
Seager JM, Howell-Jones RS, Dunstan FD, Lewis MA, Richmond S, Thomas DW. A randomised controlled trial of clinical outreach education to rationalise antibiotic prescribing for acute dental pain in the primary care setting. Br Dent J. 2006; 201:217-222
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Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing by US general dentists

From Volume 45, Issue 8, September 2018 | Pages 781-782

Authors

Charles John Palenik

GC Infection Prevention Consultants, 5868 East 71st Street, E-117 Indianapolis, Indiana 46220, USA

Articles by Charles John Palenik

Article

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that more than 262 million prescriptions for antibiotics are written annually in US outpatient facilities.1 However, estimates indicate that between 30% and 50% of antibiotic prescriptions may be unnecessary.1,2 Although essential in the treatment of certain infections, antibiotic misuse and overuse have led to the development of resistant forms, which account for 23,000 deaths and billions of dollars in excess spending annually.3

About 10% of antibiotics in the United States are prescribed by dentists.1 However, the rate of antibiotic prescribing by US dentists appears to be declining.4 Unfortunately, there is limited information concerning prescribing practices of dentists.

A recent study investigated longitudinal antibiotic prescribing patterns among a large cohort of patients treated by dentists. It quantified the number of potentially inappropriate prescriptions and estimated the costs associated with antibiotic misuse.4

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