Attitudes of Dental Students towards the Prescription of Antibiotics during Endodontic Treatment.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the antibiotic-prescribing attitudes of dental students during the management of endodontic infections.

Materials and methods: This study was conducted in the five faculties of dental medicine in Morocco. A self-administered questionnaire was used and completed online. This questionnaire has three parts: the first includes the socio-demographic data, the second is related to the types of antibiotics prescribed, and the final addresses clinical scenarios in which antibiotics are prescribed. Data were analyzed with Jamovi, and X₂ and ANOVA tests were performed.

Results: Three hundred and sixty-five students participated in this study. The average duration of antibiotic therapy was 5.87 ± 1.45. Of all the students, 83.8% prescribe amoxicillin first. For patients with penicillin allergy, clindamycin was the most prescribed, amounting to 53.9%. Antibiotics are prescribed for all pulp and periapical pathologies. For acute pulpitis and acute apical periodontitis, a statistically significant difference between the different faculties was noted (p = 0.03). Regarding apical abscesses, antibiotic prescription was more frequent at the public faculty of Casablanca, corresponding to 92.8%. (p = 0.02).

Conclusion: It appears from this study that there is a need for faculties to develop innovative teaching models to improve students' level of knowledge on antibiotics and their indications in endodontics.