According to a study, antibiotics prescribed by dentists may contribute to the growing problem of Clostridium difficile (C. diff) — a serious and potentially deadly infection that causes severe diarrhoea. “It’s important to educate dentists about the potential complications of antibiotic prescribing, including C. diff. Of those, 926 (57 per cent) reported they had been prescribed antibiotics, 136 (15 per cent) of those for dental procedures. The study found patients who were prescribed antibiotics for dental procedures tended to be older and more likely to receive clindamycin — an antibiotic that is associated with C. diff infection. Of those who had received antibiotics for a dental procedure, 34 per cent had no mention of antibiotics in their medical charts, illustrating the disconnect between dental and medical care.

Source: Indian Express October 07, 2017 09:33 UTC