FGDP(UK) endorses new advice on antibiotic prophylaxis

Following the revision in 2016 of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s Clinical Guideline 64 (NICE CG64), the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP) has published implementation advice, the crux of which is that, “The vast majority of patients at increased risk of infective endocarditis should not be offered prophylaxis. However, for a very small number of patients (‘Patients Requiring Special Consideration’), it may be prudent to consider antibiotic prophylaxis in consultation with the patient and their cardiologist or cardiac surgeon”.

Earlier this year, the Faculty raised some concerns when the advice was in development. However, a number of improvements have been made as a result of feedback from FGDP(UK) and other organisations, and the Faculty now supports the finalised guidance – which has also been endorsed by NICE – and says dentists throughout the UK will find it useful.

NICE CG64 states that antibiotic prophylaxis is not recommended ‘routinely’ for invasive dental procedures, and the new SDCEP advice aims to clarify the non-routine circumstances in which antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent IE from such procedures might be justified. It is accompanied by a patient management flowchart, a discussion points document for use with patients, and a patient advice leaflet, and also includes a template letter for use when contacting a patient’s cardiology consultant or cardiac surgeon.