title: A national survey of pediatric dentists on antibiotic use in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purposes of this study were to: (1) examine the antibiotic prescribing practices of pediatric dentists and adherence to professional guidelines; and (2) assess their knowledge of and attitudes toward antibiotic resistance.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey regarding antibiotic use, resistance, and knowledge of antibiotic stewardship programs was emailed to 4,636 members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD).
  
  
  RESULTS
  987 surveys (21 percent) were completed; 984 were analyzed. Lack of adherence to AAPD antibiotic guidelines was noted. There was a trend toward overuse of antibiotics for the following conditions: irreversible pulpitis with (32 percent) and without vital pulp (42 percent); localized dentoalveolar abscess with (68 percent) and without draining fistula (39 percent); mitral valve relapse with regurgitation (43 percent); intrusion (15 percent); extrusion (13 percent); and rheumatoid arthritis (12 percent). Determinants of antibiotic use were: facial swelling (88 percent); pain relief (15 percent); unavailable appointment for several weeks (six percent); and parental satisfaction (four percent). Although 98 percent of respondents believed that antibiotic resistance is of growing concern, only 15 percent were aware of antibiotic stewardship programs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AAPD members overprescribe antibiotics. Educational programs to increase knowledge of antibiotic resistance and stewardship programs should be implemented to increase adherence to professional guidelines.
authors.affiliation: Family Dental Center, Federally Qualified Health Center, Columbia, Mo;, USA. drsue12@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sujatha S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Sivaraman
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Tufts University, Boston, Mass., USA. Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Holyoke Health Center, Holyoke, Mass., USA.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Research, Lutheran Medical Center, Brooklyn, N.Y., USA.
authors.forename: Julie M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pearson
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003751:Dental Fistula / Q000188:drug therapy; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D057970:Inappropriate Prescribing; D008297:Male; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000188:drug therapy; D008945:Mitral Valve Prolapse / Q000188:drug therapy; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010377:Pediatric Dentistry / Q000193:education; D010508:Periodontal Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D014084:Tooth Avulsion / Q000188:drug therapy; D019553:Tooth, Nonvital / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents