Tackling antimicrobial resistance

The World Health Organization has identified AMR as a serious threat to public health worldwide. The BDA is now working to present recommendations from an expert summit held at its London Headquarters this week for publication at its Annual Conference in May 2015.

The BDA also calls on its members become an Antibiotic Guardian by taking the pledge to cut the use of antibiotics ahead of European Antibiotic Awareness Day on 18 November.

Graham Stokes, chair of the BDA Health and Science Committee and one of the initiators of the summit, said:

“The battle against antimicrobial resistance will require concerted action by individuals, agencies and governments.  And that is why the British Dental Association is stepping up.

“Dentists are responsible for approximately 10 per cent of all antibiotic prescriptions in the UK and evidence suggests that many patients could be treated more appropriately without antibiotics. It is important we all work together to ensure that the right treatment is given at the right time, with the right funding.