The path of least resistance in oral surgery.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: Antibiotic resistance is an imminent threat to worldwide public health. Dental professionals must demonstrate judicious use of antibiotics and educate their patients about the risks associated with their overuse. PURPOSE OF THE PAPER: To encourage the dental profession to prescribe responsibly in order to optimise the use of antibiotics in oral surgery. Antibiotic stewardship programmes are recommended to help reduce the emergence of infections that are multidrug-resistant. Clinical practice audits are encouraged to help dentists ensure conservative prescribing patterns. CONCLUSIONS: The dental profession has a duty of care to prescribe antibiotics in adherence with current best practice oral surgery guidelines. The dental profession must show leadership in slowing antibiotic resistance by pledgina to safeguard their appropriate use.