An evaluation of dental antibiotic prescribing practices in the United States.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Antibiotic prescribing practices among general dentists and dental specialists in the United States remains poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to compare prescribing practices across dental specialties, evaluate the duration of antibiotics dentists prescribed, and determine variation in antibiotic selection among dentists.

Methods

The authors performed a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of dental care provider specialties linked to deidentified antibiotic claims data from a large pharmacy benefits manager during the 2015 calendar year.

Results

As a group, general dentists and dental specialists were responsible for more than 2.9 million antibiotic prescriptions, higher than levels for several other medical and allied health care provider

SUBMITTER: Durkin MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5705569 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature