Canada's oral health professionals and antimicrobial stewardship.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global concern as it poses a serious threat to our capacity to treat common infectious diseases. Canada has been engaged in actions to address the AMR challenge since 1997, and these actions include a four-pillar national strategy: surveillance; stewardship; infection prevention and control; and research and innovation. Dentists play a significant role in contributing to the efforts around these four-pillars, especially that of stewardship. Studies show that antibiotic prescriptions for oral health reasons, are increasing over time, and 60% to 80% of antibiotics prescribed in a dental setting are not necessarily clinically indicated. The development, promotion and implementation of initiatives to promote optimal use of antimicrobials across Canada will require collaboration among many stakeholders, including the oral health community. Antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial stewardship are already being discussed within the dental profession in Canada; however, there is still more work to be done in a variety of areas including, but not limited to, dentists' access to and use of current evidence-based guidelines and prescribing protocols enforced by their governing bodies to ensure appropriate prescribing of antibiotics when necessary, and timely and affordable access to oral health care services by Canadians.