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Submitted
July 3, 2025
Accepted
August 30, 2025
Published
December 31, 2025
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Abstract

Background and Aim: Chlorhexidine gluconate is a broad-spectrum antiseptic agent commonly prescribed in dental practice for managing plaque-induced gingivitis, post-surgical oral hygiene, and certain periodontal conditions. Despite its effectiveness, the irrational and frequent prescription of Chlorhexidine mouthwash, particularly in the absence of clear clinical indications, poses significant concerns regarding patient safety, emergence of antimicrobial resistance, and unnecessary financial burden. General dental practitioners (GDPs), who play a critical role in prescribing habits, often vary in their level of awareness regarding evidence-based indications, dosage regimens, side effects, and duration of use. The present study aimed to assess the level of knowledge, awareness, and clinical practices among GDPs in Babylon Province, Iraq, regarding the rational use of Chlorhexidine mouthwash, and to identify existing knowledge gaps that may lead to inappropriate or over prescription. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated online structured questionnaire, distributed among general dental practitioners across Babylon Province between March 14 and April 15, 2024. The survey consisted of 25 multiple-choice and Likert-scale questions addressing dentists’ knowledge of chlorhexidine’s pharmacological properties, appropriate clinical indications, prescription habits, awareness of side effects, and attitude toward antimicrobial stewardship. Out of 259 respondents, 178 qualified as GDPs and their responses were subjected to statistical analysis using descriptive frequencies and percentage distributions. Results: Findings revealed a significant variability in knowledge among practitioners. A large proportion of GDPs reported routine prescription of Chlorhexidine irrespective of clinical necessity. While 85% of respondents recognized its antibacterial action, only 42% demonstrated awareness of its potential adverse effects, such as tooth staining, taste alteration, and mucosal desquamation. Over 60% of GDPs reported prescribing Chlorhexidine for non-indicated procedures such as simple extractions or scaling in healthy individuals. Additionally, less than 30% reported awareness of resistance development associated with prolonged or unnecessary use. Conclusion: The study identified a critical gap in knowledge and awareness among GDPs regarding the appropriate prescription of Chlorhexidine mouthwash. Overuse and misuse were notably common, underscoring the urgent need for continuing professional development and educational interventions focused on rational prescribing practices. Promoting evidence-based guidelines in dental education and clinical practice is essential to enhance patient safety, improve therapeutic outcomes, and curb the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance.

Keywords

Chlorhexidine gluconate dental mouthwash general dental practitioners prescribing practices antimicrobial resistance, oral hygiene agents

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Copyright (c) 2026 Mohammed F. Jabaz, Ali H. J. Khekan (Author)

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite
Mohammed F. Jabaz and Ali H. J. Khekan (2025) “A Cross-sectional Study to Investigate the Awareness of General Dental Practitioners Toward Chlorhexidine Prescription in Dental Clinics in Babylon Province”, Future Dental Research, 3(2), pp. 1–6. doi:10.57238/fdr.2024.152576.1014.
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How to Cite

Mohammed F. Jabaz and Ali H. J. Khekan (2025) “A Cross-sectional Study to Investigate the Awareness of General Dental Practitioners Toward Chlorhexidine Prescription in Dental Clinics in Babylon Province”, Future Dental Research, 3(2), pp. 1–6. doi:10.57238/fdr.2024.152576.1014.

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