The majority of upper respiratory tract infections are viral in etiology. A survey of Canadians has indicated that 53% of adults believed that antibiotics are effective against viruses.
Antibiotics are important medications, but should be used correctly and only when necessary. In British Columbia, dentists are the second-most active prescribers of antibiotics, following physicians; antibiotic prescriptions written by dentists account for 11% of the provincial total. The British Columbia Dental Association and Do Bugs Need Drugs (a program of the BC Centre for Disease Control) have been working in partnership to ensure appropriate antibiotic use by dentists. If you have questions about the use of antibiotics in your dental care, please consult the joint handout for information on guidelines and standards.
The Canadian Orthopedic Association (COA), the Canadian Dental Association (CDA), and the Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease (AMMI) Canada have released a joint consensus statement on the evidence base for using dental antibiotic prophylaxis to reduce orthopedic prosthetic joint infections.
Consensus Statement: Dental Patients with Total Joint Replacement
Penicillin/Amoxicillin Allergy Management Tool for Dentists
This tool assists dentists in assessing a patient who reports having a penicillin allergy. The flow chart will help you make the best evidence-based decision of appropriate antibiotic treatment when required.
- Flowchart For Appropriate Use Of Penicillin/Amoxicillin In Dentistry
- Penicillin Allergy Reference List
Penicillin Allergy Patient Fact Sheet
This fact sheet can be used in conjunction with the Allergy Management Tool, to provide patients with more information on why they may or may not be prescribed a specific antibiotic course.