Antibiotic Prescribing Among General Dental Practitioners in Libya: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

The past couple of decades have seen an alarming increase in antibiotic resistance (ABR), largely due to the injudicious use of these medications across the medical field, with an estimated 1.27 million deaths attributed to bacterial antibiotic resistance globally in 2019. General dental practitioners (GDPs) account for approximately 10% of all antibiotic prescriptions in primary care. The aim of the present study was to explore antibiotic prescribing practices among GDPs in Libya, as well as their attitudes towards antibiotic resistance. A survey questionnaire consisting of 17 questions was sent to 367 GDPs who met our inclusion criteria. 341 GDPs answered all the survey questions and were included. The most commonly prescribed antibiotic was amoxicillin with clavulanic acid (Augmentin, Co-amoxiclav). Macrolides were the most commonly prescribed antibiotic class If a patient was allergic to penicillin, followed by clindamycin. Furthermore, antibiotic misuse and overuse were common among the participants. The present study has demonstrated that inappropriate antibiotic prescription is common among GDPs in Libya. There is an urgent need to develop national guidelines and introduce a stewardship programme to improve antibiotic prescribing practices and attitudes among dentists in the country.