Level of knowledge in undergraduate dental students about the prescription of analgesics, anti-inflammatories, and antibiotics in pediatric dentistry

Abstract

Objective: To determine the level of knowledge about the prescription of analgesics, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics in pediatric dentistry of undergraduate dental students. Methodology: This study was descriptive, transversal and observational. The sample included 84 students. The instrument was a questionnaire validated by expert judgment which contained 22 questions divided into 2 parts, 11 questions on NSAIDs and 11 questions on antibiotics, indicating whether the level of knowledge was adequate or inadequate. Results: The level of knowledge in the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatories in undergraduate students of cycle XII was insufficient (90.5%), followed by 82.9% in cycle X and finally 82.1% in cycle VIII also insufficient. In relation to antibiotics in cycle VIII there was 85.7% insufficient knowledge, in cycle X it was 68.6%, and finally in cycle XII 61.9%, also was insufficient. Conclusions: The undergraduate students presented mostly insufficient level of knowledge in the use of analgesics, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics.