A Retrospective Analysis of Dental Prescribing Trends at a Federally Qualified Health Center

Abstract

Specific Aims: Describe dental prophylactic antibiotic prescribing practices at a federally qualified health center (FQHC) and to determine whether antibiotics are being prescribed according to American Dental Association (ADA) recommendations. Methods: A retrospective chart review for patients from January 2018-2019, who were 18+ and had been prescribed a medication for a dental procedure. Exclusion from the provided data included a non-antibiotic prescribed. Results: 178/10,082 de-identified patients were prescribed an antibiotic by a dental provider for prophylaxis. 176/178 (98.9%) of prophylactic antibiotics were prescribed within ADA guidelines. The number of antimicrobial agents used prophylactically were 3 [amoxicillin (n=136, 76.4%), clindamycin (n=38, 21.3%), and penicillin (n=2, 1.1%)]. However, penicillin is not recommended in the ADA guidelines. Conclusion: Most dental providers at El Rio prescribe antibiotics for dental prophylaxis in accordance with the ADA guidelines. This study shows that El Rio dentists are prescribing appropriately for prophylaxis and are helping to reduce antibiotic resistance in the dental field.