Volume 27, Issue 137, July 2023

Knowledge, attitude, and practices amongst pediatric dentists in Pune towards Local Anaesthetic allergy and test dose in dental operatory: A questionnaire study

Tripti Lath¹, Nilesh Rathi^1♦, Madhura Pawar¹, Vikas Bendgude¹, Surabhi Sinnarkar¹, Vini Mehta², Toufiq Noor³

¹Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Dr DY Patil Dental College and Hospital, Dr DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune 411018, India
²Department of Public Health Dentistry, Dr DY Patil Dental College and Hospital, Dr DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune 411018, India
³Aswein Institute of Health and Management Studies, Faridabad-121008, Haryana, India

^♦Corresponding author
Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Dr DY Patil Dental College and Hospital, Dr DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune 411018, India

ABSTRACT

Aim: The aim of the survey is evaluate the current knowledge, attitude and practices of paediatric dentist towards local anaesthesia allergy and test dose administration in the dental operatory. Material and Methods: A 25-question questionnaire was framed in accordance with local anesthesia guidelines amongst 103 pediatric dentists residing in Pune. Data collection was done by sending the questionnaire to the participants through google forms via e-mails/WhatsApp. The responses to questionnaires were summarized and this was accomplished by converting the online recorded information into representative numbers (codes). The data was entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and analyzed. Results: Most of them, about 62.83% were not well aware of protocols for LA allergy testing. Maximum of participants, 30% did not know if the dose of epinephrine (1:1000) can be given in a child less than 30 kgs. Epinephrine was the drug chosen by 88% to be their first choice in management of anaphylaxis. 70% preferred Intramuscular as initial route for epinephrine injection. 60% said they have never seen a patient with local adverse reaction after use of local anesthesia. Conclusion: The lack of information among dental practitioners about maximum doses and dose estimates for local anesthetics for children was alarming; mainly as LA systemic toxicity was dose dependent. Our study suggested conducting additional educational courses to keep both general dental practitioners and specialists up-to-date on proper application of these vital components of dentistry.

Keywords: Pediatric dentists, knowledge, practice, local anesthetic, allergy, test dose

Medical Science, 2023, 27, e294ms3060

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi/v27i137/e294ms3060

Published: 18 July 2023