The right dose at the right time

The Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) (FGDP(UK)) endorses the responsible use of antibiotics, and the ‘right dose at the right time’ approach advocated by the NICE guidelines, but would express caution about any plans to involve the regulator as a method to manage the over prescribing of antibiotics.

Antibiotic resistance is a global problem, and it will require action on the part of all health professionals, governments and the public in order to ensure that antibiotics will remain effective for future generations.  The FGDP (UK) has long been an advocate of responsible prescribing and provides guidelines for the dental profession in its publication ‘Antimicrobial Prescribing for General Dental Practitioners’.  In May this year all FGDP (UK) standards guidelines were made free to access via www.fgdp.org.uk/osi/open-standards-initiative.ashx as part of the Open Standards Initiative, and consequently all dental professionals now have unrestricted access to this guidance.

Mick Horton, Dean of the FGDP (UK) has said, “The Faculty has always encouraged evidence based practice and I believe that our standards guidelines can provide a helpful and easily accessible resource for all dental practitioners and dental care professionals. It is vital that all members of the healthcare profession take the threat of antibiotic resistance seriously and demonstrate a commitment to addressing this issue through their own good practice, and I believe that dentistry should aim to set a positive example to the NHS and patients.”