From prescription to protection: combating antimicrobial resistance in dental practice.

Abstract

Since the discovery of Penicillin in 1928, antimicrobials became an integral part of medicine and saved millions of lives over the years. However, after decades of reliance on antibiotics, we now face a growing public health threat due to the increasing risks of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Fuelled by excessive use (and abuse) of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine as well as agriculture, AMR is now has recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity1. An estimated 4.59 million deaths were linked to bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in 2019, positioning it as one of the leading causes of death worldwide2. Although AMR can affect all individuals, the morbidity and mortality associated with AMR are particular concerns in hospitalised patients and translate into a heavy cost to the economy.