Antibiotic prescribing for dental presentations in Victorian general practice.

Abstract

Aim or Purpose: The aim of this qualitative study was to understand the reasons when general practitioners (GPs) prescribe antibiotics for dental conditions, and the reasons for patients with dental problems attending GPs, rather than seeking dental treatment. Materials and Methods: Participants were recruited through advertisement via Victorian primary care practice-based Research and Education Network. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 GPs from across Victoria to gather in-depth information on their experience around antibiotic use for dental conditions. The transcripts were analysed in Nvivo and mapped against the Theoretical Domains Framework. Results: Dental pain was the most common reason for patients presenting to GPs, and most GPs would prescribe antibiotics and pain relief but advised the patient to seek dental care, acknowledging that their treatment was not definitive. GPs reported that most patients saw them due to barriers accessing dental care, such as long waiting lists on the public dental system as well as cost. In addition, patient expectations, self-management of toothache by patients with antibiotics, as well as dentists advising their patients to attend their GP for antibiotics prior to dental treatment, were all factors that influenced prescribing by GPs. Conclusions: These results provide the reasons for patients attending GPs for dental treatment, and are areas that can be addressed in future interventions to improve the use of antibiotics, including patient education, and barriers to dental care including access and cost.