Dentists, antibiotics and Clostridium difficile-associated disease

Key Points Provides an update on Clostridium difficile -associated disease in the context of antimicrobial drug prescribing. Highlights Clostridium difficile -associated disease as a primary care phenomenon in addition to hospital acquisition. Addresses the important role of all healthcare workers, including dentists, in reducing the incidence of Clostridium difficile -associated disease through improved prescribing practice. Dentists prescribe significant volumes of antimicrobial drugs within primary care settings. There is good evidence that many of the prescriptions are not justified by current clinical guidance and that that there is considerable misuse of these drugs in dentistry. One of the risks associated with antibiotic administration is Clostridium difficile -associated disease (CDAD), an entity of which many healthcare workers, including dentists, have little knowledge or understanding. This review seeks to identify the extent and nature of the problem and provides an up to date summary of current views on CDAD, with particular reference to community acquired disease. As for all healthcare workers, scrupulous attention to standard infection control procedures and reducing inappropriate antibiotic prescribing are essential to reduce the risks of CDAD, prevent emergence of further resistant strains of microorganisms and maintain the value of the arsenal of antibiotics currently available to us.