Evaluation of Irrational Antibiotic Use in Patients Presenting to Çukurova University Faculty of Dentistry

Abstract Aim: Rational drug use has gained increasing importance in recent years. In our country, the use of antibiotics for dental problems is generally high. This study aims to investigate the unnecessary use of antibiotics for dental issues. Methods: In this descriptive and cross-sectional study, patients over the age of 18, with no mental disorders, who presented with dental complaints to Çukurova University Faculty of Dentistry between January 2024 and October 2024 were included. In addition to routine examinations, patients were assessed in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology to determine the necessity of antibiotic use. The frequency values of the collected data were calculated. The chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test was applied to analyze relationships between variables. The significance level was set at p<0.05. Results: A total of 109 female and 101 male individuals participated in the study, with a mean age of 39.4±15.3 years. Among the patients, 90% were found to use antibiotics unnecessarily, while 83% insisted on doctors pre¬scribing antibiotics. Additionally, 35% of antibiotic users did not adhere to the recommended duration prescribed by the doctor, and 82.4% did not check the expiration dates of the antibiotics. Unnecessary antibiotic use was significantly associated with education level, income status, and the presence of systemic diseases. Conclusions: The rate of unnecessary antibiotic use for dental problems is alarmingly high. These findings high-light the necessity of effectively managing patient demands and enhancing patient education in the antibiotic prescription processes of clinical practice. Keywords: Antibiotics; dentistry; antibiotic resistance; self medication