Theoretical and Practical Knowledge Regarding Infective Endocarditis Prevention Among Dentists and Physicians: A Questionnaire-Based Survey

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare but potentially life-threatening infection, often trig- gered by invasive procedures, dental or otherwise, in at-risk individuals. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of IE prophylaxis among healthcare professionals, focus- ing on dentists and physicians. Two validated, anonymous questionnaires were emailed to 27,000 healthcare providers in the province of Milan (Italy). A total of 970 responses were collected (response rate just over 3%), with 49.2% from physicians and 50.8% from dentists. No significant differences were found between the two groups regarding years of experience or guideline usage (p > 0.05), although more physicians (12.7%) than dentists (6.7%) reported unfamiliarity with any guidelines. Physicians often misclassified the risk associated with certain cardiac conditions and overprescribed prophylaxis for low-risk procedures, with overall accuracy falling below the expected performance benchmark (H0: 58.0% ± 2.0%). Dentists showed a better understanding of high-risk dental proce- dures, yet performance remained suboptimal, with multiple scores below the expected benchmark (H0: 68.0% ± 2.0%). These findings highlight widespread knowledge gaps and inconsistent adherence to IE prophylaxis guidelines. The results align with international observations and emphasize the urgent need for continuing education and improved dis- semination of evidence-based recommendations across medical and dental settings.