Node Smith, ND
A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and published in JAMA Network Open, found that 81% of antibiotics prescribed by dentists – who are among the top prescribers in the U.S., accounting for about 10% of all antibiotic prescriptions to prevent infections prior to dental visits- are unnecessary.
81% of prescriptions did not align with the national guidelines
The researchers, led by Katie Suda, associate professor of pharmacy systems, outcomes and policy at the UIC College of Pharmacy, say that this surprising finding highlights the need for improved antibiotic stewardship in dental practices, especially those located in the Western U.S., which were associated with the highest rates of unnecessary prescribing.
Using Truven, a national integrated health claims database, the researchers retrospectively analyzed dental visits occurring between 2011 and 2015. They compared antibiotic prescriptions — which were dispensed prior to 168,420 dental visits — to the number of high-risk cardiac patients who, per national guidelines, are the only patients recommended for antibiotics prior to a dental procedure.
They found that 81% of prescriptions did not align with the national guidelines and were provided for patients without high-risk cardiac conditions.
Use of preventive antibiotics in these patients increases the risks associated with antibiotic use
Use of preventive antibiotics in these patients opens them up to the risks associated with antibiotic use — increasing bacterial resistance and infections, for example — when the evidence used to develop the guidelines suggests that the risks outweigh the benefits in most patients,” said Katie Suda, the corresponding author on the study
‘Results point to trends by geography that are unexpected’
The researchers also looked at dentists’ antibiotic prescribing patterns by geography. They found that the Western U.S. and urban areas were more likely to have unnecessary prescribing. Among patients most likely to fill prescriptions for unnecessary antibiotics are those with prosthetic joint implants and those receiving clindamycin.
“These results point to trends by geography that are unexpected — they are the opposite of what is seen in medical clinics — and to an alarming tendency of dental providers to select clindamycin, which is associated with a higher risk of developing C. difficile infections when compared to some other antibiotics,” Suda said.
An opportunity for dentists to reevaluate necessity and incorporate renewed commitments to antibiotic stewardship
UIC’s Susan Rowan, a dentist, worked with Suda on the research, said “[d]ental providers are very thoughtful when they develop care plans for their patients and there are many factors that inform dentists’ recommendations and the medications they prescribe, but this study shows that there is an opportunity for dentists to reevaluate if necessary and incorporate renewed commitments to antibiotic stewardship into their practices that limit preventive prescriptions to a small group of patients,” said Rowan, executive associate dean and associate dean for clinical affairs at the UIC College of Dentistry. “I think dental providers should view this study, which is the first to look at preventive antibiotic prescribing for dental procedures and provide this type of actionable information, as a powerful call to action, not a rebuke.”
Per the authors, findings may actually underestimate unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics
The authors noted that because the study was limited to patients with commercial dental insurance and the analysis used a broad definition of high-risk cardiac patients, the findings may actually underestimate unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics.
- Suda, K.J. et al. (2019) Assessment of the Appropriateness of Antibiotic Prescriptions for Infection Prophylaxis Before Dental Procedures, 2011 to 2015. JAMA Network Open. doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.39.
Node Smith, ND, is a naturopathic physician in Humboldt, Saskatchewan and associate editor and continuing education director for NDNR. His mission is serving relationships that support the process of transformation, and that ultimately lead to healthier people, businesses and communities. His primary therapeutic tools include counselling, homeopathy, diet and the use of cold water combined with exercise. Node considers health to be a reflection of the relationships a person or a business has with themselves, with God and with those around them. In order to cure disease and to heal, these relationships must be specifically considered. Node has worked intimately with many groups and organizations within the naturopathic profession, and helped found the non-profit, Association for Naturopathic Revitalization (ANR), which works to promote and facilitate experiential education in vitalism.
Node Smith graduated from the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) in 2017, and is currently licensed as a naturopathic physician in Oregon and working towards becoming licensed in Saskatchewan, Canada as well.
