Antibiotic Stewardship

Antibiotic stewardship is the effort to measure antibiotic prescribing; to improve antibiotic prescribing by clinicians and use by patients so that antibiotics are only prescribed and used when needed; to minimize misdiagnoses or delayed diagnoses leading to underuse of antibiotics; and to ensure that the right drug, dose, and duration are selected when an antibiotic is needed. For more information on antibiotic stewardship, including a printable checklist for antibiotic prescribing in dentistry [PDF – 333 KB], visit CDC’s Educational Resources for Healthcare Professionals website.

References

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Guideline on use of antibiotic therapy for pediatric dental patients. Revised 2014. https://www.aapd.org/globalassets/media/policies_guidelines/bp_antibiotictherapy.pdf [PDF-83K]

American Association of Endodontists. Endodontics Colleagues for Excellence, Winter 2012. Use and Abuse of Antibiotics. http://www.aae.org/uploadedfiles/publications_and_research/endodontics_colleagues_for_excellence_newsletter/ecfewinter12final.pdf [PDF-1M]

American Dental Association. Antibiotic Prophylaxis Prior to Dental Procedures. http://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/antibiotic-prophylaxis

American Dental Association. Combating antibiotic resistance. JADA. 2004;135(4):484-487.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Antibiotic Prescribing and Use in Hospitals and Long-Term care. https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/healthcare/index.html

Demirjian A, Sanchez GV, Finkelstein JA, et al. CDC Grand Rounds: getting smart about antibiotics. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2015;64(32):871-873.