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Antimicrobial Stewardship in Dental Care
Dentists prescribe roughly 10% of all outpatient antibiotic prescriptions. Approximately 80% of antibiotics prescribed before dental procedures may be unnecessary or unwarranted. By adopting antimicrobial stewardship principles in dental practice, dentists can play a vital role in preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics, preventing the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, and ensuring optimal oral health outcomes for patients.
The purpose of the toolkit is to provide Illinois dentists with resources to support appropriate antibiotic prescribing as part of the Illinois Precious Drugs and Scary Bugs Campaign. The campaign aims to promote the judicious use of antibiotics in the outpatient setting.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that outpatient health care providers, including dentists, take steps to measure and improve how antibiotics are prescribed using the Core Elements of Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship as a framework. The four core elements include:
- Commitment: Demonstrate dedication to optimizing antibiotic prescribing and patient safety.
- Action for Policy and Practice: Implement a practice change to improve antibiotic prescribing.
- Tracking and Reporting: Monitor antibiotic prescribing practices.
- Education and Expertise: Provide educational resources to health care providers and patients.
The toolkit is organized around these core elements and includes provider and patient resources. It is intended to be used as a practical action planning guide. For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use or e-mail DPH.antimicrobial.stewardship@Illinois.gov.
Guidance on Antibiotic Prescribing
- Combating Antibiotic Resistance
- Antibiotic Prophylaxis Prior to Dental Procedures
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s Guideline on Use of Antibiotic Therapy for Pediatric Dental Patients
- American Association of Endodontists’ Use and Abuse of Antibiotics
- Nonsurgical Treatment of Chronic Periodontitis Clinical Practice Guideline
- Orthopaedic Implant Infection in Patients Undergoing Dental Procedures
Resources
- The Core Elements of Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship
- Checklist for Antibiotic Prescribing in Dentistry
- Antibiotic Stewardship Resource Bundle
- Chicago Department of Public Health Toolkit for Dental Providers
- Dentists: Be Antibiotics Aware – Treating Patients with Dental Pain and Swelling
- Seven Ways Dentists Can Act Against Antibiotic Resistance
- Addressing Antibiotic Resistance in Dentistry: “What can WE do?”
- Antibiotic Safety: Do’s and Don’ts at the Dentist
- A Safer Dental Visit – Considerations for Responsible Antibiotic Use
- Antibiotic Prescribing by General Dentists in the United States, 2013
