Maria João Catalão

The antimicrobial resistance phenomenon is an emerging global public health problem and is induced by overuse and misuse of antibiotics in medical practice. In total, 10% of antibiotic prescriptions are from dentists, usually to manage oro-dental pain and avoid postsurgical infections. Indications for the use of systemic antibiotics in dentistry are limited because most dental and periodontal diseases are best managed by operative intervention and oral hygiene measures.

Antibiotic overuse in dental practice is characterised by empirical prescription during routine endodontic treatment and inappropriate prophylactic antibiotic use, resulting in the use of a very narrow range of broad-spectrum antibiotics for short periods of time. This has led to the development of resistance in a wide range of bacteria and to the consequent inefficacy of commonly used antibiotics. To reduce the complications of unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions especially bacterial resistance, comprehensive guidelines should be established, prescribing the correct drug, at the standard dosage and appropriate regimen, only when systemic spread of infection is evident.

This communication highlights the need for dentists to improve antibiotic prescribing practices in an attempt to control the increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance and other side effects of antibiotic overuse.