Association and Contribution of Dentistry in Creating and Sharing the Burden of Antibiotic-Resistant Microbial World

The whole world is aware of antibiotic revolution and how it saved the entire human race during World War II. The discovery of penicillin and other synthetic bacteriostatic/bactericidal antibiotics lead to a golden phase of human health where bacterial infections were conveniently confronted. However, in due course microbes evolved to develop resistance against these “magic bullets” and there is continuous decline in antibiotic susceptibility. The contributing factors include wide and extensive usage of antibiotic in every part of biosphere like medical science, animal husbandry, aquaculture, agriculture, etc. There is no untouched-domain where antibiotic has not been utilized in direct or indirect manner. One of human healthcare sector that requires use of antibiotics is dentistry. Many oral infections are caused due to bacteria and thus role of antibiotics is critical to combat them. Since there is surge in antibiotic resistance among pathogenic microbes, we are bound to search for alternatives agents and strategies. Lately, many potential substitutes have gained the lime light which include bacteriophages, ultraviolet radiations, photodynamic therapy, surgical approaches, plant extracts, etc. Emphasis is to minimize the application and use of antibiotics in any form (topical/local/systemic) for any objective (curative/preventive). This chapter briefly brushes through antimicrobial-resistant world and mechanism involved behind it. It thoroughly explains and highlights the role and contribution of dentistry in reducing the piled-up burden of antibiotic resistance and its consequences faced by the world.