Relatively little attention has been paid to the use of antibiotics in dentistry, although antibiotics account for the vast majority of medicine prescribed in dentistry. The lack of effectiveness of existing antibiotics resulting from antimicrobial resistance and lack of new antibiotics have the potential to cause a significant crisis in dentistry and in healthcare more broadly in the treatment of human infection. The CED supports responsible prescribing across all disciplines of healthcare and joins with doctors and veterinarians in spreading the message among health professionals and the public.
CED members recognise that it is essential in terms of both public and oral health that dentists only prescribe antibiotics when they are necessary and appropriate. Dentists can make a genuine difference to the emergence and growth or resistant bacterial strains. Where antibiotic prescribing is indicated, the choice of antibiotics and dosing regimens must be optimised for targeted and efficient therapy to assist in the avoidance of the development of further resistant strains. Dentists should make every possible effort to prevent crosstransmission of resistant bacteria in dental care.
Achieving low prescribing rates will be a challenge to dentists because of pressure from patients; it is important that the public is helped to understand the importance of restricting the use of antibiotics to those cases that require them. Antibiotics should not be available for purchase by unregulated persons via the internet.