Key result
Only 41.18% of surveyed dental practitioners were aware of the correct maximum dose of 2% lidocaine with vasoconstrictor, highlighting inadequate knowledge of local anesthetic dosage calculations.
Why the study?
Most dentists often ignore important aspects of drug administration such as maximum dose and dosage calculation, which requires assessing awareness regarding commonly used local anesthetics.
Cross-Sectional (n=136)
A significant proportion of dental practitioners lack adequate knowledge regarding the maximum safe dosages of commonly used local anesthetics, posing a risk for systemic toxicity.
Knowledge of pharmacology and toxicology of local anesthetics is important for their intelligent and judicious use. During their routine work most dentists often ignore important aspects of drug administration, notably the maximum dose and the dosage calculation. The total dose of local anesthetic must be determined for each patient based upon body weight. Hence the main aim of this study was to investigate awareness and knowledge of general dental practitioners regarding the maximum dose of the commonly used local anesthetics. The sample population of this study includes clinicians and postgraduate students. A generalized questionnaire based on hot pulp and its management was prepared and uploaded in an online platform, which was circulated among the sample population using various social media platforms. The total study population consisted of 136 dentists and post graduate students. Most of the participants had 1 -3 years of experience with 83.09% of the total population. About 75.74% of the total population were aware of local anesthetic dosage calculation. The maximum dose of 2% lidocaine with vasoconstrictor that can be administered is 4.4 mg/kg. Only 41.18% of dental practitioners were aware of this. The maximum dose of Bupivacaine with vasoconstrictor that can be administered is 3 mg/kg. Within limits of the study, the knowledge of dental practitioners concerning local anesthetic dosage and its dose calculations appears inadequate. Lack of knowledge about the dose can lead to dose dependent life threatening conditions like Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity.
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Azima Hanin S M (2023) conducted a cross-sectional in Knowledge of local anesthetics and dosage (n=136). Survey on local anesthetic dosage knowledge was evaluated on Awareness of the maximum dose of 2% lidocaine with vasoconstrictor (4.4 mg/kg). Only 41.18% of surveyed dental practitioners were aware of the correct maximum dose of 2% lidocaine with vasoconstrictor, highlighting inadequate knowledge of local anesthetic dosage calculations.
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