Current antibiotic

Dental Considerations for Patients Taking Currently taking an antibiotic

If prophylaxis needed, use a different antibiotic class

Record of a current antibiotic. The points below cover relevant oral side-effects and drug interactions so prescribing and treatment remain safe and non-conflicting.

Emergency vs routine management

If EMERGENCY — what to do

• If the infection is not responding, do not simply repeat the same drug — drain the source and choose a different class.Ref: SDCEP. Drug Prescribing for Dentistry, 3rd ed. (2016, updated 2021)
• Endocarditis prophylaxis: use a different class from the antibiotic already being taken.Ref: Wilson WR et al. Prevention of Viridans Group Streptococcal Infective Endocarditis — AHA Scientific Statement. Circulation 2021;143:e963–e978

If ROUTINE — what to do

• Check interactions of any new prescription with the current antibiotic.Ref: Stockley's Drug Interactions (current edition)

Clinical precautions

• If endocarditis/surgical prophylaxis is needed, choose a DIFFERENT antibiotic class from the one already being taken.
• Avoid duplicating/!overlapping classes; verify no interaction with any new prescription.
• Avoid prescribing drugs that interact; verify any new prescription against the patient's full medication list.

At a glance by procedure

Initial assessment before lab results or timing details are entered.

Procedure	Initial assessment
Examination / radiographs	MODIFY / CAUTION If prophylaxis needed, use a different antibiotic class
Supragingival scaling / polish	MODIFY / CAUTION If prophylaxis needed, use a different antibiotic class
Deep scaling / subgingival RSD (subgingival calculus)	MODIFY / CAUTION If prophylaxis needed, use a different antibiotic class
Root canal treatment	MODIFY / CAUTION If prophylaxis needed, use a different antibiotic class
Simple extraction (1–3 teeth)	MODIFY / CAUTION If prophylaxis needed, use a different antibiotic class
Surgical / bony extraction	MODIFY / CAUTION If prophylaxis needed, use a different antibiotic class
Implant placement	MODIFY / CAUTION If prophylaxis needed, use a different antibiotic class

Get a patient-specific decision in seconds

Combine all conditions, medications, lab results and the planned procedure — with anaesthetic dose calculation, lab requests and a referral letter PDF.

References

Drug considerations in dentistry (oral side-effects & interactions)
SDCEP. Drug Prescribing for Dentistry, 3rd ed. (2016, updated 2021)
Wilson WR et al. Prevention of Viridans Group Streptococcal Infective Endocarditis — AHA Scientific Statement. Circulation 2021;143:e963–e978
Stockley's Drug Interactions (current edition)

This guide supports — and does not replace — professional clinical judgment. Always consider the individual patient and consult the treating physician when indicated.