Dental groups support World Antibiotic Awareness Week

Antibiotic-resistant infections are expected to increase markedly over the next 20 years due to over-prescribing, leading to even simple surgical procedures becoming high-risk due to the potential for post-surgical infection with resistant micro-organisms.

With an estimated one in six patients prescribed antibiotics each year as part of their NHS dental treatment, dentistry accounts for around 5-7% of NHS antibiotic prescriptions, including 60% of metronidazole prescriptions in primary care. The organisations say the profession can do more to help keep antibiotics working by ensuring that every prescription is justified according to clinical need and national guidelines.

Dentists are also encouraged to update their knowledge by participating in a national survey of antibiotic prescribing, and taking the antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) e-learning modules, both of which provide free verifiable CPD.