title: An investigation of antibiotic prophylaxis in implant practice in the UK.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is increasing evidence of the inappropriate use of antimicrobials in dentistry and this may contribute to the problem of antimicrobial resistance. The research to date with regard to efficacy of antimicrobial prophylaxis in reducing failure of integration and postoperative complications when placing dental implants remains equivocal. The aim of this study was to investigate how dentists in the UK use antimicrobials prophylactically in implant practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  An e-mail link was provided in 2011 to an anonymous online (Smart-Survey) questionnaire using three databases of dentists who, by being on them, had registered an interest in placing dental implants. Absolute frequencies were used to describe the study sample demographics and examine the distribution of responses for all the variables investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and nine completed questionnaires were received. Seventy-two percent (n = 76) routinely prescribed prophylactic antibiotics for all procedures. There was a wide variation in the pre-operative and postoperative prescription regimens with the majority (84%) stating that it was to prevent infection at the site of surgery or to reduce a bacteraemia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although this was a small study with a low response rate, wide variations in antibiotic prescribing regimens with respect to drug, dose and duration were found. Further research is needed and guidelines developed to prevent antibiotic overprescribing and misuse.
authors.affiliation: Warwick Dentistry, The University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK. R.Ireland@warwick.ac.uk
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Ireland
authors.forename: N O
authors.initials: NO
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lindenmeyer
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mills
mesh_terms: D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000009:adverse effects; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000517:prevention & control; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods; D015921:Dental Implants; D003815:Dentists; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D055094:Evidence-Based Dentistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057970:Inappropriate Prescribing; D008297:Male; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000187:drug effects; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants; D000658:Amoxicillin