Current trends in antibiotic prescription behavior among Saudi dentists performing implant surgery: A cross-sectional observational study

AimThe aim of the present study was to investigate current trends in antibiotic prescription behavior among dentists performing implant surgery. MethodsA cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 133 dental specialists in Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire comprising of 21 questions related to basic demographic details (ie, sex, age, nationality, undergraduate training, type of specialty, clinical, and implant practice experience) made up the first part of the questionnaire. The second part of the questionnaire consisted of 12 close-ended questions concerning knowledge and opinions of the dental specialists related to antibiotic prescription patterns pre- or post-implant surgeries. Data were compiled and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics were employed to calculate the means and percentages for demographic data and preoperative and postoperative antibiotic-prescribing habits in dental implant placement. ResultsAll practicing dentists prescribed antibiotics preoperatively prior to routine dental implant placement; 41.4% (N=55) of participants were in favor of recommending antibiotics after routine dental implant placement (postoperatively). ConclusionAntibiotic-prescribing patterns in implant surgery among Saudi dentists are diverse and inconsistent. Further studies are required to investigate the effect of prophylactic antibiotics in lowering the risk of implant failure.