Global dental bodies relaunch antibiotic resistance course as AMR threat deepens

GENEVA: Global dental health organizations are intensifying efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), warning that the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in healthcare — including dentistry — continue to threaten the effectiveness of life-saving medicines worldwide. In response to the escalating global health challenge, the FDI World Dental Federation, in collaboration with the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC), has relaunched its internationally accessible online course titled “Tackling Antibiotic Resistance: What Should Dental Teams Do? ” Registration for the three-week course is now open, with classes scheduled to begin on May 11, 2026. The initiative comes as global health authorities increasingly caution that antimicrobial resistance could undermine decades of medical progress by making common infections harder — and in some cases impossible — to treat. Dentistry under growing scrutiny in antibiotic stewardship Health experts say dental professionals play a critical role in reducing unnecessary antibiotic use, particularly in managing tooth infections, abscesses, and pain-related conditions where preventive care and timely treatment can often reduce dependence on antibiotics. Related story: Antimicrobial resistance to become the biggest killer by 2050 The online course aims to help dental teams better understand: • The global impact of antibiotic resistance• Safe and responsible antibiotic prescribing• Infection prevention strategies• Risks associated with resistant infections• The role of the entire dental team in antimicrobial stewardship According to course organizers, the programme is designed for both clinical and non-clinical members of dental teams, as well as other healthcare professionals involved in managing patients with dental infections. Global concern over antimicrobial resistance The World Health Organization has repeatedly identified antimicrobial resistance as one of the top global public health threats facing humanity. AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve resistance to medicines designed to kill them, making treatments less effective and increasing the risk of severe illness, prolonged hospitalization, and death. Experts warn that inappropriate antibiotic use across healthcare sectors continues to accelerate this process. In dentistry, antibiotics are sometimes prescribed unnecessarily for conditions that may be more effectively managed through dental procedures and preventive interventions. Course focuses on practical solutions The relaunched course is fully online and structured into three weekly modules covering: • Dentistry’s role in the global antibiotic resistance crisis• Patient safety and infection prevention• Practical steps dental professionals can take to tackle AMR locally and globally Participants will also explore how resistant infections affect dental care and why antibiotic resistance is considered a societal issue extending beyond healthcare systems alone. The course carries Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accreditation through The CPD Certification Service. Global leadership in oral health stewardship The programme is led academically by Wendy Thompson, Clinical Senior Lecturer in Primary Dental Care at the University of Manchester and a recognized global expert in antimicrobial stewardship in oral health. FDI World Dental Federation said the relaunch reflects a broader commitment to strengthening responsible antibiotic use across dentistry and supporting healthcare professionals through evidence-based education. As antimicrobial resistance continues to rise worldwide, healthcare experts say prevention, education, and stewardship will remain central to preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics for future generations. Stay informed, stay ahead pk/09-May-2026/global-dental-bodies-relaunch-antibiotic-resistance-course-amr-threat-deepens” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow noopener noreferrer”>Read full story on Dental News