ADA Visits Midwestern University to Discuss New Guideline

Midwestern University welcomed representatives from the American Dental Association (ADA) to the Downers Grove Campus on November 18th for a discussion of the new ADA clinical practice guideline for antibiotic use. Students from the College of Dental Medicine-Illinois (CDMI) attended the live event that was simultaneously broadcasted on the ADA’s Facebook page.

Erinne Kennedy, D.M.D., M.P.H., M.M.Sc., one of the co-authors of the new guideline, spoke with CDMI student Hannah Cho (Class of 2020) about the new recommendations and answered questions from the live audience and those watching on Facebook.

“When we talk about the use of antibiotics in dental practice, we have to remember that there are benefits and there are harms,” said Dr. Kennedy. “It’s our stewardship of those clinical decisions that helps us provide the best care for our patients. The new guideline equips dentists with the science and evidence they need, in addition to their clinical expertise, to partner with their patients in the decision-making process and practice evidence-based dentistry.”

The ADA conducted extensive research about antibiotic use for dental pain and swelling and formulated five clinical recommendations and two good practice statements that are included in the guideline. More information about the clinical practice guideline can be found at ADA.org/antibiotics.