FDI World Dental Federation: Study shows dramatic rise in antibiotics prescribed to dental patients in England during COVID-19 lockdown earlier this year

PR86493

GENEVA and LONDON, Nov. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

    FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) releases new White Paper on antibiotic

resistance to mark World Antimicrobial Awareness Week

    One of the unintended consequences of the COVID-19 lockdowns in England

earlier this year has been a 25 per cent increase in the prescription of

antibiotics by dentists, according to a new study published today in the

British Dental Journal (BDJ) [https://www.nature.com/articles/s41415-020-2336-6].

    Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is a global problem that poses a significant

threat to health and wealth, due to prolonged illnesses, longer hospital stays

and increased mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted

the urgency of tackling ABR by including it in the five platforms to global

health and well-being. ABR is a problem that affects everyone and needs

tackling urgently. If ABR continues to increase, it is estimated that

infections resistant to drugs will be the number one cause of death globally

within the next 30 years.

   The WHO's annual World Antimicrobial Awareness Week

[https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-antimicrobial-awareness-week/2020 ] is held

from November 18–24.

   Antibiotics do not cure toothache. Most dental infections are amenable to

treatment by a dental procedure to remove the source of the infection without

the need for antibiotics. In normal times, antibiotic-only treatment plans are

rarely appropriate. Unnecessary use of antibiotics drives the development and

spread of resistant infections.

    "Antibiotics are life-saving drugs; when people really need them, they

really need to work," said Dr Wendy Thompson, author of the BDJ study, clinical

academic in primary dental care at the University of Manchester and member of

the FDI ABR Working Group.

   "Infections that are resistant to antibiotics pose a serious risk to patient

safety—which is why the large rise in dental antibiotic prescribing (over 25

per cent in the three months of April to June) is a huge concern. After years

of a downward trend, restricted access to dental care due to COVID-19 drove

this sudden increase. We must guard against it happening again when the UK

finds itself in another lockdown environment.

   "We live in especially challenging times. Patients waiting for access to

care often receive more antibiotics than those patients who receive the right

treatment immediately. As dental care provision returns to a 'new normal' in

the COVID-19 era, it is important to ensure access to high-quality, urgent

dental care and to optimize the use of antibiotics."

   'Slow-motion pandemic'

    Acknowledging the urgency of the situation, FDI has released today its

White Paper [https://fdiworlddental.org/abr-whitepaper], The essential role of

the dental team in reducing antibiotic resistance, which is supported by an

online library of resources and accompanied by a massive open online course

(MOOC). The paper is an important step forward in acknowledging that dentists

around the world must be recognized for their role in preventing and treating

dental infections and empowered to optimize their antibiotic prescribing.

   "We are staring down a slow-motion pandemic and urgent collective action is

needed to slow it down," said Dr Gerhard K. Seeberger, president of FDI.

   "Moving forward, the dental profession has a clear responsibility to engage,

commit and contribute to global, national and local efforts to tackle

antibiotic resistance."

   - Picture is available at AP Images (http://www.apimages.com) -

    Further Information:

    Michael Kessler

    FDI Media Relations

    Mob: + 34 655 792 699

    Email: michael.kessler@intoon-media.com

   About FDI World Dental Federation: FDI is the main representative body for

more than one million dentists worldwide, with a vision of leading the world to

optimal oral health. Its membership comprises some 200 national member

associations and specialist groups in over 130 countries. www.fdiworlddental.org

   About GSK: GSK is a science-led global healthcare company with a special

purpose: to help people do more, feel better, live longer. GSK provided

financial assistance for the development of the online library of resources

that supports the FDI White Paper and the MOOC.

   Source: FDI World Dental Federation