Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Anaphylaxis to Local Anesthetics in Dental Practice: A Latin American Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: This study aims to assess Latin American dentists' knowledge, preparedness, and competency in managing anaphylactic reactions to LAs. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a web-based survey from November 2021 to February 2022 targeting board-certified dentists in various Latin American countries. The survey comprised 26 structured questions focused on demographic information, knowledge, and attitudes toward anaphylaxis. Chi-square tests and logistic regression models were performed in Stata 17.0. Results: The majority of respondents (81.9%) were from Ecuador with a mean age of 35 years and an average of 10 years of professional experience. Lidocaine was the most frequently used local anesthetic (88.1%). While 85.2% could identify dyspnea as a symptom of anaphylaxis, only 50.1% knew the correct route for epinephrine administration, and just 43.5% had epinephrine in their emergency kits. Confidence in managing anaphylactic reactions was low (9.6%). Regional comparisons indicated no significant differences in knowledge and attitudes, except professionals from Ecuador displayed more confidence in managing anaphylaxis (P=0.002). In multivariate regression, older age was inversely related to both knowledge of anaphylaxis management and the possession of epinephrine (P=0.003 and P=0.0001, respectively). Conclusion: There is a significant gap in the knowledge and preparedness of Latin American dentists concerning anaphylaxis management. Clinical Relevance: The study's findings underscore the need for educational interventions to improve the understanding and readiness of dental professionals in handling anaphylactic emergencies and ultimately improving patient safety in dental practice.