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Q Bulletin, Volume 1, No. 32 (Supplement 1), Jan - Dec 202412th National QA Convention, 8 %u2013 10 October 2024QLL-91Curbing Unnecessary Antibiotic Prescription for Pericoronitis in CherasHazwani NA1, Putri Salbiah AR2, Avril Lim JL31Klinik Pergigian Cheras, Kuala Lumpur2Klinik Pergigian Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur3Klinik Pergigian Cheras Baru, Kuala LumpurSELECTION OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT:Recent studies have reported an increasing number of dental officers prescribing antibioticsinappropriately for dental pain or infection which could have been treated by local measures andanalgesics. An audit was performed to analyse the prescription pattern for pericoronitis by governmentdental officers in Cheras. We found that 7 out of 10 antibiotic prescriptions were inappropriate accordingto the National Antimicrobial Guideline 2019.KEY MEASURES FOR IMPROVEMENT:This study aimed to reduce the inappropriateness of antibiotic prescription for pericoronitis patients inCheras. The standard is set at 10% based on consensus and previous study.PROCESS OF GATHERING INFORMATION:A pre-remedial study was conducted from January 2023 to March 2023. Prescription slips and clinicalnotes were analysed to measure the extent of the quality problem. To identify the contributing factors, alldental officers in Cheras completed an online questionnaire to assess their knowledge and perceptionregarding antibiotic prescription.ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION:Our finding showed that 76.2% of antibiotic prescriptions for pericoronitis were inappropriate. We alsofound lack of confidence and knowledge among dental officers (54%), patients complaining of severepain (56%), long waiting time for definitive treatment (28%) and patient%u2019s insistence (22%) contribute toinappropriate antibiotic prescriptions.STRATEGIES FOR CHANGE:A continuous dental education (CDE) session covering principles of antibiotic therapy and the currentguideline was held regularly in each dental clinic in Cheras. Educational talk to patients was also given bydental officers. Printed guidelines and infographic posters were exhibited in each clinic.EFFECT OF CHANGE:The percentage of inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions for pericoronitis has been reduced to 21.69%,while the ABNA has dropped from 66.2% to 11.69%.THE NEXT STEP:A CDE course will be made compulsory for all new dental officers in Cheras. A checklist will also bedeveloped as a decision-making aid prior to prescription of antibiotics for pericoronitis cases. We plan toexpand the project to other dental clinics in WPKL&P if deemed necessary by the managers.187 | Page