Home > Resources > Antibiotic Stewardship for Oral Health > Antibiotic Stewardship for Patients

Antibiotic Prophylaxis | Antibiotics for the Treatment of Dental Infections | Antibiotic Stewardship | Adverse Events | Additional Resources

In an effort to address rising antibiotic resistance and untoward effects, guidelines for the use of antibiotics in medicine and dentistry have evolved. Some infections that were previously routinely managed with antibiotics (eg. sinusitis, otitis media, bronchitis) are now carefully evaluated to determine the need for antibiotics. When antibiotics are prescribed, there is increased emphasis on utilizing the most narrow-spectrum agent, limiting the exposure, utilizing short-course regimens and/or early discontinuation. Collectively, these evolving practices are referred to as “antibiotic stewardship”. The healthcare community continues to struggle with patient expectations of antibiotic use and therefore it is imperative to empower the patient to be involved in evidence-informed decision-making by improving the patient’s consideration of the benefits and risks of antibiotic use.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis

• JADA: What is Antibiotic prophylaxis?
• MouthHealthy: Antibiotic Prophylaxis

Back to Top

Antibiotics for the Treatment of Dental Infections

• MouthHealthy: Will Antibiotics help treat my dental pain?

Back to Top

Antibiotic Stewardship 

• JADA: Using antibiotics wisely
• MARR: Appropriate Antibiotic Use
• Video: Why your Dentist may not prescribe antibiotics?
• Video: "Su Dentista Podría No Recetarle Antibióticos"
• Video: Antibiotic Stewardship in the Dental Office
• Antibiotics "just-in-case" | Debbie Goff | TEDxColumbus

Short Course, Early Discontinuation

• When You Don't Have to Finish Your Antibiotics- Consumer Reports 

Delayed Prescribing

• U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA): Where and How to Dispose of Unused Medicines
• U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Video: How to Safely Dispose of Unused or Expired Medicine

Back to Top

Adverse Events

Antibiotic (Penicillin) Allergies

• American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI): Penicillin Allergy—What do you need to know?
• CDC Factsheet: Is It Really a Penicillin Allergy? 
• MARR/ADS:
• Penicillin-Allergy Assessment Tool
• Penicillin Allergy Reassessment for Treatment Improvement (PARTI) Tool
• Video: How to Approach to Patients Reporting Penicillin Allergies?
• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) Penicillin allergy: What do you need to know?
• AAAAI Penicillin Allergy: Podcast
• AAAI Penicillin Allergy: Are you allergic to penicillin? graphic
• American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI): Penicillin Allergy: Facts for Patients 
• State of Washington: Do You Really Have a Penicillin Allergy? 
• English Version
• Spanish Version

Clostridium difficile (C. diff) 

• CDC: Your Risk of C. diff
• MARR: Antibiotics & You
• Patient: Clostridium Difficile (C. diff)
• See C. diff

Advocacy

• Peggy Lillis Foundation for C. diff Education & Advocacy

Back to Top

Additional Resources

• ADA Brochure: Should you take Antibiotics before your dental treatment? Available for purchase.
• MARR Brochure: Antibiotic Safety at the Dentist. Available for download.

Click on the boxes below to view resources for prescribers, the dental team, and policymakers. 

Back to Top