Antibiotic use in dentistry

In 2019, the World Health Organization listed antimicrobial resistance as one of the top ten threats to global health. Antimicrobials include antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics.

Dentists prescribe almost 10% of antibiotics in Canada, even though most tooth pain does not require antibiotics and can be managed with a dental procedure and/or pain medication.

RCDSO Council endorsed the Choosing Wisely toolkit Taking the Bite Out of Tooth Pain, designed to provide dentists with practical resources to guide their prescribing practices.

Continuing Education points: self-study activity / e-learning program

The RCDSO recognizes the importance of this chairside resource in guiding dentists, their teams and their patients to implement principles of antimicrobial stewardship.

Watch the presentation below from Dr. Susan Sutherland titled Moving the needle on dental antibiotic overuse – a sustainable Canadian antimicrobial stewardship approach for more information on antimicrobial stewardship and a walkthrough of the toolkit.

Dentists who view the RCDSO Connect video below can earn one Category 3 point.

Additionally, dentists are eligible to earn up to five continuing education points in Category 2 when they download the toolkit and use its resources in their practice (one point for each element implemented).

To obtain your certificate, you must answer these questions attesting to which elements of the toolkit you are implementing. We will review your submission and email you your certificate within five business days, giving you the information you need to complete your e-Portfolio submission.