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

Dental team members have an active role in antibiotic stewardship efforts within the dental setting by promoting the appropriate use of antibiotics, helping to improve patient outcomes, and decrease the spread of drug-resistant organisms. Auxiliary team members often initiate patient interviews, review medical histories, and assess potential drug-drug interactions and the potential for other adverse drug events. Team members may also provide patient education regarding antibiotic prescribing and usage, and have an opportunity to improve patient adherence to the antibiotic prescription. Dental team members can find guidance on antibiotic prescribing, stewardship efforts for dental team members, and toolkits to help with antibiotic stewardship efforts below. 

Antibiotic Prophylaxis

• CDC: Checklist for Prescribing in Dentistry
• JADA: What is Antibiotic prophylaxis?
• MouthHealthy: Antibiotic Prophylaxis

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Antibiotics for the Treatment of Dental Infections

• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD): Use of Antibiotic Therapy for Pediatric Dental Patients
• JADA: Antibiotic Use for Periodontal Disease Clinical Practice Guideline
• JADA: Plain Language Summary for Clinical Practice Guidelines for Tooth Pain and Swelling
• MouthHealthy: Will Antibiotics help treat my dental pain?
• CDC: Checklist for Prescribing in Dentistry

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Antibiotic Stewardship 

• JADA: Using antibiotics wisely
• Video: Why your Dentist may not prescribe antibiotics?
• Video: "Su Dentista Podría No Recetarle Antibióticos"
• Video: Antibiotic Stewardship in the Dental Office

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Adverse Events

• CDC: Adverse Drug Events from Antibiotics

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
• Do You Really Have a Penicillin Allergy Patient Education Poster
• Video: How to Approach to Patients Reporting Penicillin Allergies?

Opportunistic Infections Clostridium difficile (C. diff) & Antibiotic Resistance

• American Academy of Family Physicians: Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infection Update
• Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC); What you need to know about Clostridium difficile?
• CDC: What is C. diff (Clostridioides difficile)?
• MedlinePlus: Antibiotic Resistance
• Sepsis Alliance: Why is C. diff so dangerous?

Advocacy

• Peggy Lillis Foundation for C. diff Education & Advocacy

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 State Toolkits and Additional Resources: Free Continuing Education

• February 2024 Antibiotic Stewardship Summit: On-demand recordings are available for FREE (up to 6.5 hours of content worth ADA CERP CE credits through February 28, 2027). Click here to register.

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State Toolkits for Antibiotic Stewardship in the Dental Office

• Antibiotic Stewardship Toolkit for Dental Providers (Illinois)
• Antibiotic Stewardship Toolkit for Dental Providers (Massachusetts)
• Resources to Support Antibiotic Stewardship in Dental Office (Michigan)
• Minnesota Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Toolkit for Outpatient Clinics (Minnesota)
• Oral Health Antibiotic Toolkit (Wisconsin)
• California (LA County): Antimicrobial Stewardship (LA County, CA): Scroll to Dental Practice Guidance

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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.
• MARR Dental Provider Commitment Poster. Available for Download.

Click on the boxes below to view resources for prescribers, policymakers, and patients receiving dental care.

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