Antimicrobial prescribing in dentistry

Antimicrobial Prescribing in Dentistry gives clear, simple and practical guidance to dentists on when to prescribe antimicrobials, what to prescribe, for how long and at what dosage.

Written in collaboration with the Faculty of Dental Surgery (FDS) of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, this is the third edition of the guidance and features a much wider range of conditions than the previous edition.

The guidance covers management of oral and dental infections by all prescribers, including those working in secondary dental care (including trainees), specialists (including oral and maxillofacial surgeons), and those involved in dental education and research. Its recommendations are appropriate for all dental patients, including adults, children, the elderly and those with special needs treated in the primary and secondary care setting.

Infections and diseases covered by the guidance include acute dento-alveolar infections, chronic dental infections, perio- and endodontic diseases, viral infections and fungal infections. It examines antimicrobial prophylaxis in healthy patients and medically compromised patients and also covers prescription writing and patient assessment.

Synopsis

A printable one-page Chairside synopsis for common conditions, which summarises recommendations applicable for adult patients, is available for all dental professionals and practices to download.

Audit

In addition to the guidance on Antimicrobial Prescribing in Dentistry, the Antimicrobial Prescribing Self-Audit Tool, co-published with the British Dental Association and endorsed by Public Health England, helps dental prescribers to complete a clinical audit of their antimicrobial prescribing and management of dental infections, and to compare audited practice against the guidance.

Toolkit

Further resources are available in the Dental Antimicrobial Stewardship Toolkit, which was developed by the FGDP(UK), the British Dental Association and the Dental Sub-Group of Public Health England’s English surveillance programme for antimicrobial utilisation and resistance (ESPAUR).

Related articles

CGDent members can view full articles via the links below by first visiting the PDJ Member Access page and clicking ‘Access the PDJ Archive’.

• An Antimicrobial Stewardship Toolkit to Promote Appropriate Antibiotic Prescribing in Dental Practice by Nikolaus Oa Palmer, Jamie Woodward (March 2017)

• An Audit of Antimicrobial Prescribing in an Acute Dental Care Department by Radhika Chopra, Razia Merali, George Paolinelis, Jerry Kwok (December 2014)

• Awareness of Antibiotic Prescribing and Resistance in Primary Dental Care by Trevor M Johnson, Joanna Hawkes (December 2014)

• Prescribing for Periodontal Disease by Fiona M Blair, Iain LC Chapple (December 2014)

• Inappropriate Prescribing of Antibiotics in Primary Dental Care: Reasons and Resolutions by Anwen L Cope, Ivor G Chestnutt (December 2014)

Non-members who wish to read one of these papers, or other Primary Dental Journal articles, have the option to join the College or subscribe to the PDJ.

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