Browsing by Author "van Straaten, Sabien"
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- Effectiveness of antibiotics in treatment of dental infections: a systematic reviewPublication . van Straaten, Sabien; Magalhães, RicardoAntibiotics have been integral in managing bacterial infections since the discovery of penicillin in 1928. In dentistry, antibiotics are prescribed for either prophylactic or therapeutic purposes and this represent around 10% of global antibiotic prescriptions. The use of antibiotics in dentistry, particularly for the treatment of dental infections, has been widespread. However, concerns about overuse and antibiotic resistance necessitate a critical evaluation of their effectiveness in comparison to other therapeutic options. The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the effectiveness of antibiotics in the treatment of dental infections in comparison to other therapeutic options. Furthermore, the study aims to gain insight into the motivations behind antibiotic prescriptions in the field of dentistry, with the objective of promoting the appropriate use of these medications and enhancing patient education on the importance of adhering to the prescribed regimens. A comprehensive search was conducted in databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, B-On, and Scielo for studies published between 2013 and 2024. The inclusion criteria were based on the PICO framework: Population - patients with dental infections; Intervention - systemic antibiotic therapy; Comparison - other therapeutic options; Outcome - improved antibiotic prescription practices. The Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool was used to assess the risk of bias in the included studies. Out of 384 identified records, 12 studies were included in the systematic review. These studies were geographically diverse, including research from Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, South America, and the United States. The findings highlight the limited indications for antibiotic use in dentistry, with systemic antibiotics often prescribed inappropriately for conditions that do not require them, such as pulpitis and chronic abscess. Instead, the focus should be on non-medicated methods and patient education to prevent infections and reduce reliance on antibiotics. The review highlights the necessity for more rigorous compliance with guidelines for antibiotic utilisation in dental infections, to combat antibiotic resistance. It is of the utmost importance to provide both dental professionals and patients with the necessary education to ensure the appropriate use of antibiotics. Future research should focus on developing and implementing strategies to improve antibiotic stewardship in dental practice.