Use of antifungal agents for oral candidiasis: results of a national survey.
BACKGROUND
Candida albicans is an opportunistic agent that colonizes the oral mucosa.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the attitude of Spanish dentists toward the oral treatment of candidiasis.


METHODS
Between May and November 2006, a questionnaire was circulated to a random selection of 1134 dentists obtained from the General Dental Council's main list. The survey consisted of a block of socio-demographic items followed by another block related to the diagnosis and treatment of oral candidiasis. Replies to the questionnaire were received from 840 (74%) dentists.


RESULTS
50.4% of respondents were men, and 48.1% were female with a mean age of 38 and 12.2 years of professional experience. Miconazole was the most popular choice of antifungal agent prescribed (59.3%), followed by nystatin (57.7%) for topical use. Systemic antifungal agents were used by 30.20% of dentists, with a strong association between their use and the number of years in practice, gender and professional qualifications (P < 0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
Most Spanish dentists make clinical diagnosis and treat oral infections by C. albicans themselves with topical drugs (miconazole and nystatin) as a first choice. Systemic treatments are more commonly chosen by male dentists with long professional experience, especially by stomatologists.
Martínez-Beneyto
Y
Y
Department of Stomatology, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain A. Velandrino-Nicolás, Department of Psychology, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain. yolandam@um.es
López-Jornet
P
P
Velandrino-Nicolás
A
A
Jornet-García
V
V
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003022:Clotrimazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006801:Humans; D007654:Ketoconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008825:Miconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009761:Nystatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019242:Oral Medicine; D011331:Private Practice; D011364:Professional Practice; D011636:Public Health Dentistry; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain; D013282:Stomatitis, Denture / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D009761:Nystatin; D008825:Miconazole; D003022:Clotrimazole; D007654:Ketoconazole