Online search interest in the use of antibiotics for dental pain: an infodemiology study

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the online search interest pertaining queries regardingantibiotics for dental pain. Material and Methods: Google Trends™ used identify searchinterest. Previously, a literature performed on most frequently antibiotics in dentistryin Brazil. Accordingly, terms were Amoxicillin (AM), Clindamycin (CD), Azithromycin (AZ)and Metronidazole (MD), with phrase “for toothache” Portuguese English. A time-series coveredthe last 240 weeks (from 2015 2020), results each term compared their respectiveannual value. Geographic regions also evaluated. To obtain relative volume (RSV), resultingGoogle numbers then scaled range from 0 100 based ratio searches atopic across all topics. Results: We observed an upward trend termsover 5 years analyzed, peak greater 2019. antibiotic related totoothache ‘AM’, followed by ‘AZ’, ‘MD’, ‘CD’. annual RSV toothache rose steadilyfrom 2020. Variations between Brazilian geographic regions, Northeastregion presented greatest topic. Conclusion: Although there variations inannual regional trends, expressive persistent increase collective regarding use ofantibiotics toothache, mainly amoxicillin, observed. Our findings provide insights publichealth promotion programs. KEYWORDSAntibiotics; Internet; Community pharmacies; Oral health; Public health.