New WHO Antibiotic Book addresses oral and dental infections

Mindful of the growing risk associated with antibiotic resistance, the WHO has released The WHO AWaRe (Access, Watch, Reserve) antibiotic book, which seeks to provide evidence-based guidance on antibiotic use in primary healthcare and hospital settings.

Highlighting an estimate that up to 10 million deaths a year could take place by 2050 due to antibiotic resistance, the WHO publication draws attention to the inappropriate use and overuse of antibiotics and how this is driving “a detrimental impact on the effectiveness of these critical medicines.”

Of particular interest to members of the dental profession is the chapter on oral and dental infections which received significant input from the FDI World Dental Federation’s Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Working Group led by Dr Wendy Thompson (the ADA is a member of FDI and will host this year’s FDI World Dental Congress in September in Sydney).  

Many of the suggestions made by the AMR, which provided feedback and input on the oral and dental infections chapter "to ensure that it was coherent with the other chapters", were taken into consideration including the title of the chapter and "guidance on "on which dental conditions and infections are appropriate for antibiotic treatment was also provided."

FDI is encouraging health professionals everywhere to share this critically important publication "as widely as possible to counter antibiotic resistance and ensure a healthy future for all."

For the original story, visit "New WHO Antibiotic Book addresses oral and dental infections"