Antibiotic Use for Dental Treatment

Course Code: REL-ACU-0-AUDT

Hours: 1

Type: Online Course

Content Expiration Date: 12/31/2028

Learning Objectives:
Identify common dental conditions requiring antibiotic therapy and differentiate between necessary and unnecessary prescriptions.
Discuss current guidelines for antibiotic use, including prophylactic antibiotics for at-risk populations.
Describe the implications of antibiotic resistance and how to implement stewardship principles in dental practice.
Explain how to tailor antibiotic regimens based on individual patient factors, such as allergies and comorbidities.

Outline:

Section 1: Understanding Antibiotics in Dental Practice

The Role of Antibiotics in Dentistry

Why and When Antibiotics Are Necessary

Common Dental Conditions That Might Require Antibiotics

Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Dentistry

When Prophylaxis Is Indicated

When Prophylaxis Is Not Indicated

Navigating Edge Cases and When to Consult

Staying Current with Changing Guidelines

Global and Cultural Considerations

Antibiotic Resistance: Why It Is a Concern

What Is Antibiotic Resistance?

Impact on Dental Care and Society

Practical Scenarios: When Antibiotics Are and Are Not Needed

Case Examples

Review

Key Takeaways

Section 2: Best Practices for Safe Antibiotic Use

Responsible Antibiotic Prescribing

Strategies for Optimizing Patient Care

Common Antibiotics in Dental Treatment

Commonly Used Antibiotics

Antibiotic Selection and Considerations

Tailoring Antibiotic Prescribing to Patient Factors

A Patient-Centered Approach in Dental Practice

Multiple Factors Affecting Prescribing Decisions: A Complex Balancing Act

The Importance of Thorough Medical History Review

Allergy History: Nuance Matters

Managing Patients with Comorbid Conditions

Prescribing in Pregnancy and Lactation

Pediatric Considerations: Dosing and Development

Geriatric Considerations: Polypharmacy and Physiology

Consultation with Physicians or Pharmacists

Checklists and Practical Tools for Decision-Making

Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Patient-Specific Prescribing

Real-World Examples of Tailored Prescribing

Managing Side Effects and Drug Interactions

Common Side Effects

Drug Interactions to Consider

Managing Patient Safety

Important Points

Antibiotic Stewardship in Dentistry: A Practical Approach

Stewardship Principles

Core Principles

Factors Contributing to Overprescribing

Case Examples

Documentation

Patient Communication and Education

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Practical Integration in Dental Practice

Electronic Health Records and Technology

Global and Public Health Perspective

Review

Key Takeaways

Section 3: Conclusion

Course Summary

Course Contributor

Resources

References

Subject Matter Expert: Harshil Patel, DDS

Dr. Patel is an experienced general dentist based in Richmond, Texas, with a diverse background spanning clinical practice, academic instruction, and dental consulting. He currently serves as an associate dentist at Sonrava Health and has provided dental care across various settings, including correctional facilities and pediatric clinics. With over a decade of experience, he has also held consulting and case review roles with organizations such as Acenta (Kepro), IPRO, and the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners. A graduate of the University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston and a General Practice Residency at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry, he brings a comprehensive perspective to evidence-based, patient-centered care and dental policy compliance.

Target Audience:
The target audience for this course is: Dental Ancillary Personnel; Dental Hygienist; Dentist; in the following settings: Ambulatory Care.

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All courses offered by Relias Learning, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.

To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.

Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.