Pediatric Odontogenic Infections and Prescription Antibiotic Use

Objectives: In the past several years worldwide, the discussion has developed about antibiotic resistance. Dentists, although a small percentage of the prescribers of antibiotics, can play a role in reducing antibiotic use and therefore help address this growing problem. Highly variable prescription practices illustrate the dentist’s contribution to the overuse of antibiotics. An investigation into antibiotic use and subsequent effects on clinical presentation odontogenic infections. Described are the variances in the clinical presentation of subjects who received antibiotics and those that had no antimicrobial therapy before presentation in the hospital setting. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for subjects who presented with odontogenic infections to a children’s hospital emergency department. Variables collected were: pre-hospital antibiotic use, vital signs on admission, site of infection, quality of infection, and dental involvement. Results: 112 subjects: 73 male and 39 females. 49 received pre-hospital antibiotics while 63 did not have previous antibiotic therapy. Pre-hospital antimicrobials consisted of 10 different types of antibiotic therapies. No significance was found between the two groups and the clinical presentation of infection or admission vital signs. Conclusion: High variability of antibiotic use for orofacial infections was observed including the type of antimicrobial utilized and prescribing provider (non-dentist). This study provided information correlating patient physiology and the lack of clinical impact by pre-hospital antibiotic use. Due to high variability in providers' type administering antibiotic prescriptions and irregular drug and dosage practices, detailed practice guidelines and antibiotic stewardship programs should be augmented for assistance concerning odontogenic infection treatments.