title: A survey to assess knowledge, practice, and attitude of dentists in the Western region of Saudi Arabia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess knowledge regarding the management of odontogenic infections by dentists in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, 150 practitioners responded to a 26-item paper-based questionnaire between August and December 2014. The questionnaire evaluated knowledge and current clinical practices in managing odontogenic infections, as well as the attitude towards antibiotic use and resistance in the community. Basic medical knowledge (BMK) and critical knowledge (CK) scores were calculated from the dentists' response to these questions and were compared according to educational level (bachelor and postgraduate degree holders).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean BMK score was 1.98 ± 0.4 and CK score was 1.89 ± 0.3. Dentists with bachelor's degrees had higher BMK scores than those with a postgraduate degree (p=0.005), but CK was not significantly different (p=0.400). Most dentists (77%) would prescribe antibiotics after a routine dental extraction, and would undertake definitive surgical treatment (49.2%) only after a localized space infection developed. Although 82.2% agreed that routine prescription of antibiotics increases bacterial resistance in the community, 71% believe that prescribing an antibiotic after routine oral surgical procedures prevents odontogenic infections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dentists in Jeddah require further education through lectures and workshops to stay up to date on current concepts in odontogenic infection management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. E-mail. moalsebaei@kau.edu.sa.
authors.forename: Maisa O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Al-Sebaei
authors.forename: Ahmed M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Jan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003813:Dentistry; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004497:Education, Dental; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists'; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents