title: An audit of antibiotic prescribing in third molar surgery.
abstract: The use of antibiotics as a prophylactic measure against infection is widespread following the removal of impacted third molars. The advantages of using such prophylaxis appear to be marginal and there is little substantial evidence to support the use of second and third generation antibiotics for routine prophylaxis. An audit of antibiotic prescribing practices in the University Dental Hospital National Health Service Trust (Cardiff) was undertaken and demonstrated the potential for saving large sums of money whilst apparently incurring no clinical disadvantage. The value of such audit process in oral and maxillofacial surgery is in identifying best practice followed by measuring and, where possible, improving standards.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Surgery, Medicine and Pathology, University of Wales College of Medicine, Health Park, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis / Q000191:economics; D002969:Clavulanic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017046:Cost Savings; D019230:Dental Audit; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000191:economics; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010404:Penicillin V / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists' / Q000191:economics; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013222:State Medicine / Q000191:economics; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery; D014852:Wales
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002969:Clavulanic Acids; D010406:Penicillins; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; D000658:Amoxicillin; D010404:Penicillin V