DT News - India - Dentists' role in fighting antimicrobial resistance (GARD ECR network)

Dr. Isha Rao

Sat. 25 September 2021

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Dr. Isha Rao writes about FDI’s Global Antimicrobial Research Dental Network for Early Career Researchers (GARD ECR network) studying this field. The role of the GARD ECR network is to ensure that oral health professionals strengthen their position in global antimicrobial research efforts to tackle antimicrobial resistance.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized resistance to antibiotics as one of the biggest global health threats to affect us in the coming future. It is expected to cause over 10 million deaths each year by 2050. In the US, at least 2.8 million people get an antibiotic-resistant infection each year, and more than 35000 people die.

What is antibiotic resistance?

In this phenomenon, the germs (bacteria or fungi) become resistant to the antibiotics meant to destroy them. Instead, the germs continue to grow. Treating these infections is extremely difficult (in some cases, even impossible) and also very expensive. The treatment requires extended hospital stays, follow-up doctor visits, and costly alternatives.

The Role of Dentists

Dentists prescribe 10% of all antibiotics. Dentists should be aware of antimicrobial resistance because antibiotics are the class of drugs they prescribe the most. Studies have also shown that many antibiotics prescribed by dentists are unnecessary. Compared to the other branches of healthcare, not much research has been done related to dental antibiotics.

The FDI White paper published in November 2020, highlights the dental team's role in reducing resistance to antibiotics. It explains how dental teams can participate in antibiotic stewardship in dentistry by helping raise awareness, preventing and controlling infections.

Early Career Researcher Network:

FDI World Dental Federation has established a network for Early Career Researchers studying this field called the Global Antimicrobial Research Dental Network (GARD ECR network). The role of the GARD ECR network is to ensure that oral health professionals can strengthen their position in global antimicrobial research efforts to tackle antimicrobial resistance. It provides opportunities for early career researchers in dental antimicrobial research to come together and share their experiences and ideas.

The FDI has proposed a couple of networking events for the Early Career Researchers, including journal club webinars and an online forum to exchange unique ideas and experiences. It will also provide various opportunities to build connections with other fellow researchers.

According to the GARD ECR network, an Early Career Researcher is a person who is within ten years of starting a postgraduate qualification related to dental antibiotics and research or within ten years of their first peer-reviewed publication about dental antibiotics.

The network will be launched at the General Session during a satellite symposium at the 99th International Association for Dental Research (IADR) 2021.

References:

Fresia, P., Antelo, V., Salazar, C. et al. Urban metagenomics uncover antibiotic resistance reservoirs in coastal beach and sewage waters. Microbiome 7, 35 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-019-0648-z
FDI white paper: The essential role of the dental team in reducing antibiotic resistance

About Dr. Isha Rao

Dr. Isha Rao (BDS) graduated from MGM Dental College, Navi Mumbai in 2020. She currently works as an Assistant Editor (Public Health) at Dental Tribune South Asia nd covers various areas in Public Health. She is interested in pursuing research in the domain of public health policy and financing.

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