title: An audit of antimicrobial prescribing in an acute dental care department.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Antimicrobial resistance is a growing problem that is likely to have a major negative impact on healthcare in the future. Dentists have a key role in ensuring that antimicrobials are prescribed correctly to reduce the emergence of resistant strains.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To audit how appropriately antimicrobials were prescribed in the oral surgery acute dental department of Guy's Hospital in London, when compared to the standards set within the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) and Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness guidelines on antimicrobial prescribing in dentistry.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  100% compliance.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective audit consisting of two cycles (each including 60 patients) was carried out. Between each cycle, there was a two-month intervention period, which included extensive training and education of staff and students.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cycle 1 showed that only 30% of prescriptions were appropriate and only 62% of practitioners were recording a diagnosis. After two months of intervention, cycle 2 was carried out; this showed a significant improvement, with 80% of prescriptions being appropriate and 100% of practitioners recording a diagnosis. The majority of inappropriate prescriptions in both cycles were for acute pulpitis without evidence of systemic involvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This audit has shown that clinical practice for antimicrobial prescribing did not follow the published guidelines. Following targeted interventions, a substantial improvement was made in the prescribing pattern. The target of 100% has not been reached, necessitating further intervention.
authors: Bridge Street Dental Practice, Oxford, UK.
authors: Radhika
authors: R
authors: Chopra
authors: Razia
authors: R
authors: Merali
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Paolinelis
authors: Jerry
authors: J
authors: Kwok
mesh_terms: D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019230:Dental Audit; D003796:Dental Service, Hospital; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D010497:Pericoronitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D010508:Periodontal Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000658:Amoxicillin