An analysis of antibiotic prescriptions from general dental practitioners in England

The aim of this study was to determine the antibiotics prescribed by genera l dental practitioners (GDPs). Adult antibiotic prescriptions issued by GDP s from 10 Health Authorities (HAs) in England were analysed. The type of an tibiotic prescribed, dose, frequency and duration were investigated. Most o f the 17 007 prescriptions were for generic antibiotics; nine different ant ibiotics were prescribed. Many practitioners prescribed antibiotics inappro priately with inconsistent frequency and dose, and for prolonged periods.