Antibiotics in Dentistry- A Boon or Bane?

The mortality rate due to infectious diseases was high ages ago. Millions and millions of lives were saved owing to the discovery of antibiotics. Antibiotics can be called as “life-saving drugs”. However, inappropriate prescribing and excessive use of antibiotics are major factors in the emergence of antibiotic resistance. WHO recognized this growing global problem, announced theme for the year 2011 as “Antibiotic resistance: No action today, No cure tomorrow.” Dental practitioners regularly prescribe antibiotics for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes to manage oral and dental infections. Antibiotics are not an alternative to dental intervention; they are adjunct and never the first line of treatment modality. Antibiotic overuse and misuse among dentists is substantial. Antibiotics are indicated when clinical signs of involvement are evident. Clinical situations that require antibiotic therapy on empirical basis are limited. Patient's expectation of an antibiotic prescription, convenience and demand necessitated by the social background of patients are considered unscientific reasons for prescription. There is an urgent need to raise public and professional awareness regarding the risks of antibiotic use not only in dentistry but all aspects of medical care. Overcoming barriers to more judicious prescribing will require development of materials to support change, implementation of effective strategies to catalyse such changes and development of supportive structures in healthcare organizations.