Rising to the challenge

So I hope you enjoyed the course. Antibiotic resistance is such an important and evolving global health problem. It will affect us all, both professionally and personally, for generations to come. In the first week of the course, we were reminded about the value of antibiotics as the corner of modern medicine. They are vital for treating life-threatening infections, as well as critical to the success of major surgery like organ transplant, and for the care of people with conditions such as cancer. We looked at how resistance to antibiotics develops and spreads, and Vanessa Carter told us about how an MRSA infection affected her recovery from a severe facial injury.

Then we learned about the importance of local solutions to this global problem, and that everyone has a role to play. As we represent the dental profession, both inside and outside of the workplace, we are in a privileged position– that people listen to us. Use this opportunity wisely. Raise awareness about the problem of antibiotic resistance. Educate others about how to prevent dental infections. Be confident when prescribing antibiotics in accordance with guidelines. As we heard from Eric, not everything important for treatment decisions where he is in Tanzania are equally important where you are. National guidelines, which take account of local patterns of antibiotic resistance and differences in the way dental care is provided around the world, are essential.

Having completed the exercises within the course, you will now have an action plan for how you and your team can play your part in global efforts to tackle antibiotic resistance. The next step is to finalise a plan with your colleagues and start implementing it. The FDI White Paper, and its online library of resources from around the world, is there to assist you. Antibiotic resistance– it’s such a very important agenda. None of us want our grandchildren to grow up in a world where antibiotics don’t work. Let’s rise to the challenge of developing local dental solutions to tackling the global health problem of antibiotic resistance. Together we can solve this crisis. Thank you.