Trends in Australian dental prescribing of antibiotics: 2005–2016

L. J. Walsh; P. J. Ford; Treasure McGuire; M. van Driel; S. A. Hollingworth

doi:10.1111/adj.12846

Trends in Australian dental prescribing of antibiotics: 2005–2016

L. J. Walsh, P. J. Ford, Treasure McGuire, M. van Driel, S. A. Hollingworth^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

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Abstract

Background: Prescribing of antibiotics by dentists for surgical prophylaxis or as an adjunct to managing dental infections is a substantial part of the overall landscape for prescribed antibiotics in health care settings.

Methods: We explored trends in the antibiotic prescribing patterns of Australian dentists over the 12-year period, 2005–2016. We obtained data on dispensed prescriptions of antibiotics from registered dentists subsidized on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Results: Australian dentists were responsible for almost 7 million dispensed prescriptions of antibiotics over 12 years; an average of 24 prescriptions per year per dentist. The most commonly prescribed antibiotic was amoxicillin, followed by amoxicillin + clavulanic acid and metronidazole. These top three antibiotics constituted more than 80% of all antibiotics prescribed and their use increased dramatically over time. There was a large increase in the prescribing of broad-spectrum antibiotics over time, most of which occurred from 2011 to 2016.

Conclusions: Excessive prescribing of broad-spectrum antibiotics runs contrary to national antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) initiatives and guidelines. Multifaceted educational strategies are essential to align prescribing with current best practice. High-level evidence to inform clear guidelines on antibiotic prescribing in dental infections, with audit and feedback, should reduce the inappropriate use of antibiotics in dentistry.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	S37-S41
Number of pages	5
Journal	Australian Dental Journal
Volume	66
Issue number	S1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/adj.12846
Publication status	Published - Mar 2021

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Trends in Australian dental prescribing of antibiotics: 2005–2016Accepted author manuscript, 1 MBLicence: Other

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@article{d216665d48c344228d2efa88eebcad42,

title = "Trends in Australian dental prescribing of antibiotics: 2005–2016",

abstract = "Background: Prescribing of antibiotics by dentists for surgical prophylaxis or as an adjunct to managing dental infections is a substantial part of the overall landscape for prescribed antibiotics in health care settings. Methods: We explored trends in the antibiotic prescribing patterns of Australian dentists over the 12-year period, 2005–2016. We obtained data on dispensed prescriptions of antibiotics from registered dentists subsidized on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Results: Australian dentists were responsible for almost 7 million dispensed prescriptions of antibiotics over 12 years; an average of 24 prescriptions per year per dentist. The most commonly prescribed antibiotic was amoxicillin, followed by amoxicillin + clavulanic acid and metronidazole. These top three antibiotics constituted more than 80% of all antibiotics prescribed and their use increased dramatically over time. There was a large increase in the prescribing of broad-spectrum antibiotics over time, most of which occurred from 2011 to 2016. Conclusions: Excessive prescribing of broad-spectrum antibiotics runs contrary to national antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) initiatives and guidelines. Multifaceted educational strategies are essential to align prescribing with current best practice. High-level evidence to inform clear guidelines on antibiotic prescribing in dental infections, with audit and feedback, should reduce the inappropriate use of antibiotics in dentistry.",

author = "Walsh, {L. J.} and Ford, {P. J.} and Treasure McGuire and {van Driel}, M. and Hollingworth, {S. A.}",

note = "Funding Information: We thank the University of Queensland Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences for funding this research with a Research Collaboration Seeding Grant. The funder had no role in the study, and the researchers were independent from the funder. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021 Australian Dental Association Copyright: Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.",

year = "2021",

month = mar,

doi = "10.1111/adj.12846",

language = "English",

volume = "66",

pages = "S37--S41",

journal = "Australian Dental Journal",

issn = "0045-0421",

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AU - Ford, P. J.

AU - McGuire, Treasure

AU - van Driel, M.

AU - Hollingworth, S. A.

N1 - Funding Information: We thank the University of Queensland Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences for funding this research with a Research Collaboration Seeding Grant. The funder had no role in the study, and the researchers were independent from the funder. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 Australian Dental Association Copyright: Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

PY - 2021/3

Y1 - 2021/3

N2 - Background: Prescribing of antibiotics by dentists for surgical prophylaxis or as an adjunct to managing dental infections is a substantial part of the overall landscape for prescribed antibiotics in health care settings. Methods: We explored trends in the antibiotic prescribing patterns of Australian dentists over the 12-year period, 2005–2016. We obtained data on dispensed prescriptions of antibiotics from registered dentists subsidized on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Results: Australian dentists were responsible for almost 7 million dispensed prescriptions of antibiotics over 12 years; an average of 24 prescriptions per year per dentist. The most commonly prescribed antibiotic was amoxicillin, followed by amoxicillin + clavulanic acid and metronidazole. These top three antibiotics constituted more than 80% of all antibiotics prescribed and their use increased dramatically over time. There was a large increase in the prescribing of broad-spectrum antibiotics over time, most of which occurred from 2011 to 2016. Conclusions: Excessive prescribing of broad-spectrum antibiotics runs contrary to national antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) initiatives and guidelines. Multifaceted educational strategies are essential to align prescribing with current best practice. High-level evidence to inform clear guidelines on antibiotic prescribing in dental infections, with audit and feedback, should reduce the inappropriate use of antibiotics in dentistry.

AB - Background: Prescribing of antibiotics by dentists for surgical prophylaxis or as an adjunct to managing dental infections is a substantial part of the overall landscape for prescribed antibiotics in health care settings. Methods: We explored trends in the antibiotic prescribing patterns of Australian dentists over the 12-year period, 2005–2016. We obtained data on dispensed prescriptions of antibiotics from registered dentists subsidized on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Results: Australian dentists were responsible for almost 7 million dispensed prescriptions of antibiotics over 12 years; an average of 24 prescriptions per year per dentist. The most commonly prescribed antibiotic was amoxicillin, followed by amoxicillin + clavulanic acid and metronidazole. These top three antibiotics constituted more than 80% of all antibiotics prescribed and their use increased dramatically over time. There was a large increase in the prescribing of broad-spectrum antibiotics over time, most of which occurred from 2011 to 2016. Conclusions: Excessive prescribing of broad-spectrum antibiotics runs contrary to national antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) initiatives and guidelines. Multifaceted educational strategies are essential to align prescribing with current best practice. High-level evidence to inform clear guidelines on antibiotic prescribing in dental infections, with audit and feedback, should reduce the inappropriate use of antibiotics in dentistry.

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Trends in Australian dental prescribing of antibiotics: 2005–2016

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