Preventing AMR and Infections
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest global health threats, driven by the overuse and misuse of antimicrobials. As dentists prescribe around 10% of antibiotics worldwide, the profession has a key role in tackling AMR through infection prevention and control, responsible prescribing and antimicrobial stewardship. FDI provides evidence-based guidance, practical resources and advocacy to support these efforts.
Antimicrobial resistance is recognized as one of the biggest threats to global health by the World Health Organization and is expected to be responsible for ten million deaths each year by 2050. It happens when the drugs prescribed to treat infections from bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites become ineffective, due to the overuse and misuse of antimicrobial medicines.
If coordinated measures at the global scale are not taken rapidly, the world will be soon plunged into a post-antibiotic era in which common infections will become life-threatening.
Dentists are responsible for prescribing 10% of all antibiotics for humans.
Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is of particular concern to dental teams, as antibiotics are the class of drugs most prescribed by dentists. About 10% of antibiotic prescriptions are issued by dentists, depending on the country. Moreover, studies have shown that many of these prescriptions were unnecessary.
Clear and relevant guidance is needed to encourage dental teams to optimize the way that they prescribe antibiotics, doing so only when necessary.
Project goals
- Awareness raising: increase understanding of resistance through education and communication.
- Advocacy: promote infection prevention, responsible antibiotic use in dentistry, and the integration of oral health into National Action Plans on AMR.
- Research and knowledge transfer: Promote research on infection prevention, antimicrobial resistance and stewardship in dentistry, and facilitate collaboration and exchange.
Development of an Antibiotic Stewardship Core Outcome Set. This set will provide core metrics for informing and evaluating antibiotic stewardship (ABS) programmes. It will highlight the essential aspects that NDAs, dental teams and research teams should address when designing ABS programmes and evaluating their success and impact.
An NDA action statement and pledge for tackling ABR in dentistry. NDAs will be invited to sign this pledge to tackle ABR in each country, by committing to activities in line with the WHO Global Action Plan on AMR and White Paper recommendations.
An Early Career Researcher (ECR) Network, to connect and support ECRs and promote dental ABR research. Network events, including journal club webinars and an online forum, will allow ECRs to present their work, exchange ideas and experiences and establish connections. The network will be launched during a satellite symposium at the IADR 2021 General Session. Register here to be part of this network and receive information on coming activities!
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
Pledge to tackle antibiotic resistance
Pledge to tackle antibiotic resistance through raising awareness, preventing dental infections and optimizing antibiotic prescribing (antibiotic stewardship).
Follow the MOOC for dental teams
Join this free course and discover the danger posed by antibiotic resistance, and how dental teams can meet the challenge to protect patients.
Join the GARD network
The GARD Network provides opportunities for individuals with an interest in dental infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship to come together to share their experiences, ideas and expertise.
Resources
MOOC : Tackling Antibiotic Resistance
What should dental teams do?
Join this free course and discover the danger posed by antibiotic resistance, and how dental teams can meet the challenge to protect patients
Library of Resources
Antibiotic Stewardship for Dental Teams
Variety of national and international resources that can be adopted or adapted to support national Antibiotic Stewardship Programs. The library features a discussion forum where NDAs, dental teams and others can discuss their work. Create a free account and upload any relevant resources available in your country or draw inspiration from the resources available.
International Consensus on a Dental Antibiotic Stewardship Core Outcome Set
Antibiotic resistance is a global health crisis. To maximise the value from research to optimise antibiotic use in dentistry, this study developed international consensus on a core outcome set for dental antibiotic stewardship.
