Awareness of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Antibiotics Usage among Postgraduate Students of Gujarat Post Dental Implant Placement: A Questionnaire-Based Study

Abstract

The indiscriminate use of antibiotics in dental implantology contributes to antimicrobial resistance. Understanding the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of dental trainees regarding antibiotic use after implant placement is vital for stewardship. We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 104 postgraduate dental residents in Gujarat (Prosthodontics, Periodontics, Oral Surgery). Responses were analyzed with descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests (SPSS v26, p<0.05). Most respondents (68.3%) felt antibiotic prophylaxis was not necessary before implant placement. Amoxicillin was the most commonly prescribed agent (53.8%), typically in a five-day regimen (86.5%). Awareness of formal guidelines was high (87.5%), and nearly all (95.2%) agreed prescriptions should follow evidence-based recommendations. However, 83.7% reported routinely prescribing antibiotics for implant cases regardless of complexity. A large majority (91.3%) expressed interest in formal training on rational antibiotic use. Significant differences were found by specialty and training year: Oral Surgery and Periodontics trainees were more likely to oppose routine prophylaxis than Prosthodontics trainees, and first-year residents were much less aware of guidelines than seniors (p=0.0001). These findings indicate generally strong awareness of antibiotic stewardship but also highlight gaps between knowledge and practice. There is clear support for enhanced training and strict adherence to guidelines to optimize antibiotic use in implant dentistry.