This week (18-24 November) the World Health Organisation observes the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) 2024 and therefore it is a good opportunity to remember the urgent need to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a global health threat fuelled by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, which can potentially lead to 50 million deaths yearly by 2050.

Dentistry is only responsible for about 10% of the antibiotic consumption in the healthcare sector, while a staggering 70% of total use is attributed to the food industry. Nevertheless, we all need to help with the AMR problem, and though small, dentists do have a role to play. Several guidelines emphasise the principle of responsible prescribing as a cornerstone of patient care, urging dentists to prescribe antibiotics only when clinically necessary and to explore alternative treatments whenever possible, such as extractions or drainage of teeth or abscesses.

Patients, on the other hand, should follow their dentist’s recommendations and avoid pressuring practitioners for unnecessary antibiotics. Through greater awareness, collaboration, and commitment to responsible prescribing practices, we can safeguard the effectiveness of antibiotics for future generations.

To help patients understand better when antibiotics may be of use, the British Endodontic Society has produced a very informative brief video, as you can see below. In short, antibiotics are mainly necessary when there are clear signs of systemic infection, such as fever, swelling spreading beyond the oral cavity, or a compromised immune system.