Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Prescription Pattern in the Dental Clinic of the Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

This retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated the prescription patterns of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs at the Dental Clinic of Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BhUTH), Jos, Nigeria, from January 2022 to July 2024. The review covered a total of 179 patient records, focusing on case classification (surgical vs. non-surgical), demographics, and prescribed medications. Non-surgical cases predominated (86.6%), with a nearly equal gender distribution, although males were more likely to undergo surgical procedures. Out of 183 prescriptions analysed, paracetamol accounted for 71.6%, followed by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as diclofenac (25.1%), and combination NSAID-prostaglandin formulations, including Arthrotec (3.3%). The strong preference for paracetamol reflects its perceived safety profile and effectiveness in managing mild to moderate dental pain. These findings reflect a conservative, evidence-based approach to dental pharmacotherapy, emphasising nonopioid analgesics for routine dental care at the Dental Clinic in BhUTH, Jos, Nigeria. Experts recommend providing regular updates on drugs used in pain management, as prescribers tend to focus on NSAIDs at the expense of other options.