A recently published study estimates that if strong action is not taken, 39 million people could die worldwide from antibiotic resistance between now and 2050.1 This would result in more deaths from antibiotic resistance than from cancer, said Charlotta Edlund, professor and expert researcher in microbiology at the Swedish Public Health Agency.
World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW), held annually from 18 to 24 November, aims to highlight the global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Misuse and overuse of antibiotics are key drivers of this growing problem. Innovative oral hygiene approaches, such as light-activated therapy, offer a preventative approach to oral health and infection management. By reducing the spread of oral infections, these approaches align with wider healthcare efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance and reduce reliance on antibiotics.
Health experts warn that antimicrobial resistance is a major global challenge with many different causes. Professor Edlund points out that one of the main reasons is the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, which are often used for diseases that are ineffective, such as viral infections or self-limiting diseases. In addition, the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics when not necessary can accelerate the development of resistance; global drug shortages can also lead to people relying on second-line treatments that are more prone to resistance.
The complexity of antibiotic research and development poses another obstacle. “Without new treatments, resistance may grow faster than our ability to fight infection, as scientific and economic challenges hinder the development of new effective antibiotics,” Professor Edlund warned.
Antimicrobial resistance is a major issue in dentistry because antibiotics are often used to treat dental infections or as a medicine to prevent the spread of infection. Dentists prescribe about 10% of all antibiotics prescribed to humans, which contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. According to the World Dental Federation (FDI), many of these prescriptions are actually unnecessary, which further exacerbates the problem of antibiotic resistance. 2
Professor Edlund emphasizes that reducing antibiotic use in dentistry requires addressing the root causes of infection and prioritizing treatment measures such as abscess drainage, root canal treatment and necessary tooth extraction. She added that antibiotics should only be used as an adjunctive measure and only when a systemic infection is present.
While many countries have national recommendations for dental antibiotic use, many still lack comprehensive guidelines to promote responsible antibiotic use, and some countries only cover antibiotic treatment or prevention. Professor Edlund stressed that the development of guidelines is crucial and must go through a rigorous and quality-assured process. However, she pointed out that simply publishing guidelines is not enough.
“Guidelines must be fully implemented and supported by educational efforts to motivate patients to adhere to the prescriptions. In addition, monitoring prescribing behavior and providing feedback to clinicians are key strategies to improve patient adherence to prescriptions,” Professor Edlund explained.
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