The CDC estimates that there are 2.8 million antimicrobial resistant infections each year in the United States leading to 35,000 deaths.  Another 29,000 people die every year from antibiotic associated C. difficile infections.

Considering dentists are responsible for 10% of all antibiotics prescribed to patients, that means dentists could be responsible for 6400 deaths on a yearly basis.  That’s 17-18 deaths every day of the year.  The only reason we don’t understand the risk of adverse events from the use of antibiotics is because they may not happen at the time of treatment.  Antibiotic resistance can take months to years to develop and ultimately result in a superbug infection, but each time a patient takes even a single dose of antibiotics resistance can occur .  A C. difficile infection can occur up to 3 months after antibiotic use, so the patient and dentist may not associate the dental antibiotic use with their condition.   By educating both patients and practitioners about proper antibiotic use, we can minimize the risks associated with antibiotic use. Join our Dental Antibiotic Stewardship Program to gain the knowledge and tools necessary for safer, evidence-based prescribing practices.