G
Guest
There is a big push in the world of medicine now to do things that have proof that they are of benefit and not do things that have no proof that they are beneficial. This is called evidence-based medicine. There is a dental journal published in the UK called Evidence Based Dentistry. Their latest edition contains the following article that discusses whether or not there are properly-done studies that find for or against using an antibiotic before dental procedures. I have copied the conculsions from the abstract below.
Is penicillin prophylaxis effective against bacterial endocarditis?
by Robin Seymour.
Conclusions There is no evidence about whether penicillin prophylaxis is effective or ineffective against bacterial endocarditis in people at risk who are about to undergo an invasive dental procedure. There is a lack of evidence to support published guidelines in this area. It is not clear whether the potential harms and costs of penicillin administration outweigh any beneficial effect. Ethically practitioners need to discuss the potential benefits and harms of antibiotic prophylaxis with their patients before a decision is made about administration.
Evidence-Based Dentistry (2004) 5, 46. doi:10.1038/sj.ebd.6400258
So it seems that somebody a long time ago thought that prophylaxis would be a good idea and ever since then we've always done it that way.
Also, this study was done in The Netherlands. They probably have the best-organized anticoagulation management in the world. The national government provides health-care and everyone on an anticoagulant is assigned to an anticoagulation management service.
Is penicillin prophylaxis effective against bacterial endocarditis?
by Robin Seymour.
Conclusions There is no evidence about whether penicillin prophylaxis is effective or ineffective against bacterial endocarditis in people at risk who are about to undergo an invasive dental procedure. There is a lack of evidence to support published guidelines in this area. It is not clear whether the potential harms and costs of penicillin administration outweigh any beneficial effect. Ethically practitioners need to discuss the potential benefits and harms of antibiotic prophylaxis with their patients before a decision is made about administration.
Evidence-Based Dentistry (2004) 5, 46. doi:10.1038/sj.ebd.6400258
So it seems that somebody a long time ago thought that prophylaxis would be a good idea and ever since then we've always done it that way.
Also, this study was done in The Netherlands. They probably have the best-organized anticoagulation management in the world. The national government provides health-care and everyone on an anticoagulant is assigned to an anticoagulation management service.