As per the study published in the British dental journal, it was noted that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) restrictions on dental care led to a significant rise in prescribing antibacterial therapeutics and a very marked elevation in prescription-only analgesics. Nikolaus O. A. Palmer et al. undertook this study to explore the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on the utilization of antibacterial therapeutics and analgesics in primary dental care in England.

Analgesics (like aspirin, paracetamol) and antibacterial therapeutics prescribed by National Health Service (NHS) general dental practitioners during April-July 2020 and April-July 2019 were analyzed.

Antibacterial agents prescribed during coronavirus restrictions in 2020 were elevated compared to the same time period in 2019 by 22%. Amoxicillin was utilized the most followed by metronidazole. Erythromycin was administered at a comparable rate, with lincosamides (clindamycin) administered more commonly in 2020. Clarithromycin was administered twice more frequently in 2020 vs. 2019. 

Both phenoxymethylpenicillin and co-amoxiclav were prescribed at a comparable rate. The usage of analgesics elevated by 84%. The usage of dihydrocodeine tartrate rose, followed by diclofenac sodium. An opposite trend was witnessed in relation to ibuprofen with usage declining while paracetamol usage only slightly rising.

Table 1:  Antibiotic and analgesic use in 2020 vs. 2019

Thus, there was a rise in antibiotic and analgesic prescribing in NHS general dental practice during the coronavirus pandemic dental practice restrictions. Also, an inappropriate and higher prescription of opioid analgesics was noted.