title: Drug cost implications for antibiotic prophylaxis for dental procedures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the potential economic impact from the practice of antibiotic prophylaxis for dental procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  We estimated the prevalence of patients in the United States with 15 medical conditions and devices. We multiplied the prevalence for each patient population by the percentage of specialists recommending prophylaxis, then by the estimated number of dental office visits per year, and then by an average pharmacy cost to arrive at a total estimated range of annual cost for this practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 15 medical conditions and devices included in the present study involve upward of 20 million people and an estimated annual cost between $19,880,279 and $143,685,823. The actual cost may be far greater because of an underestimation of these prevalence figures and the use of antibiotic prophylaxis for additional patient populations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest a significant cost for antibiotic prophylaxis in the dental practice setting and the need for evidence-based recommendations concerning this practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC 28232-2861, USA. peter.lockhart@carolinashealthcare.org
authors.forename: Peter B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Lockhart
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blizzard
authors.forename: Andréa L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Maslow
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: Howell
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sasser
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carew
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000191:economics*; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis / Q000191:economics*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000191:economics; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000191:economics; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis / Q000191:economics; D018427:Breast Implants / Q000191:economics; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable / Q000191:economics; D003729:Dental Care / Q000191:economics*; D003770:Dental Offices / Q000191:economics; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000191:economics; D016527:Drug Costs; D004696:Endocarditis / Q000191:economics; D005252:Fees, Pharmaceutical; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000191:economics; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000191:economics; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000191:economics; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007595:Joint Prosthesis / Q000191:economics; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000191:economics; D009819:Office Visits / Q000191:economics; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000191:economics; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000295:instrumentation; D013039:Specialties, Dental / Q000191:economics; D014481:United States; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt / Q000191:economics
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents