Dental Organisations in the UK and Ireland support the World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) 
18-24 November 2025

Thirty million deaths directly related to AMR are expected globally in the period between 2025 and 2050 with an annual mortality rate of 8.22 million by 2050 which is reaching similar levels to the annual mortality rate of cancer (9.7 million). The more we use antimicrobial agents, the more antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is expected to develop. This is leading humanity to face a situation similar to pre-antimicrobial discovery era when simple infections were not possible to treat.

Dentists prescribe approximately 10% of antimicrobials in the UK and Ireland, and there is evidence of increasing rates of reported resistance to many antimicrobials in head and neck infections. It is important that the dental community Acts Now and respond to the global health threat. Appreciating the requirement for system-level changes to facilitate the provision of best evidence practice, we need to take the lead and Protect antimicrobial use to cases when it is justified based on best evidence practice. This could be guided by the available resources in three major national platforms: (1)  Dental antimicrobial stewardship toolkit (Dental antimicrobial stewardship: toolkit - GOV.UK: updated December 2023), (2) Keep Antimicrobial Working educational website (KAW Resources – Keep Antimicrobials Working Forum & Resources), and (3) Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group (SAPG) Dental Stewardship Steering Group (DSSG) website (Dental stewardship).

This year, the United Nations focus has been on non-communicable disease such as cancer, and diabetes. People with these conditions are susceptible to rapidly advancing infection. Dr Wendy Thompson from the College of General Dentistry explained: “Prevention is better than cure. Preventing non-communicable diseases, such as dental infection, reduces antimicrobial use and must be a global priority, to Secure our future.” This message was emphasised in the UNGA80 2025.   

World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) is a global campaign to raise awareness and increase understanding of AMR and to promote global action to tackle the emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens. It is commemorated annually from 18 to 24 November. Twenty-three national dental organisations have come together to support the WAAW 2025 theme ‘Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future’.

References:

1)  Dental antimicrobial stewardship toolkit (Dental antimicrobial stewardship: toolkit - GOV.UK: updated December 2023)

2) Keep Antimicrobial Working educational website (KAW Resources – Keep Antimicrobials Working Forum & Resources).

3) Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group (SAPG) Dental Stewardship Steering Group (DSSG) website (Dental stewardship)

*Dental Organisations

1. The Association of Clinical Oral Microbiologists (ACOM) promotes the clinical practice of diagnostic microbiology, infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship. Its members are clinically qualified and work in clinical practice and academia to promote the prevention and optimal management of infection in the oral and maxillo-facial region.
2. The College of General Dentistry (CGDent) is the first independent college for primary care dentistry in the UK. Serving the public interest in oral health, and engaging the whole dental team, it will build on the achievements of the FGDP(UK) in setting standards for general dental care and delivering outstanding postgraduate dental education and has a vision to achieve Royal College standing.
3. The Association of Dental Hospitals (ADH) represents the voices of dental hospitals across the UK and Ireland. Its membership consists of dental hospitals and academic clinical facilities which provide dental services and have a significant commitment to NHS-funded undergraduate or postgraduate dental students.
4. The Dental School Council (DSC) represents dental schools across the UK and Ireland.
5. The British Dental Association (BDA) is the voice of dentists and dental students in the UK. It brings dentists together, supports its members through advice and education, and represents their interests. As the trade union and professional body, it represents all fields of dentistry including general practice, community dental services, the armed forces, hospitals, academia, public health and research.
6. The British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC) founded in 1971 with members in 135 countries around the world. Its internationally renowned publications are among the foremost international journals in antimicrobial research, and its commitment to scientific excellence is reflected in its varied programme of events, training and free educational resources.
7. Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group (SAPG) works with NHS boards across health and care settings in Scotland to improve antibiotic use, to optimise patient outcomes and to minimise harm to individuals and to wider society
8. The Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (FDS) is a professional body committed to enabling dental surgeons to achieve and maintain excellence in practice and patient care. Founded in 1947, it has over 5,500 members and fellows and is one of the leading providers of dental education, supporting thousands of dentists worldwide to fulfil their potential.
9. The Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) promotes excellence in global oral health through education, examination and engagement. Established in 1982, over 40 years ago with 8,000 Members and Fellows in over 100 countries throughout the world.
10. The Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (RCPSG) is a worldwide community of health professionals working together to develop and improve patient care. Established in 1967, the Faculty of Dental Surgery sets the highest possible standards for an increasingly demanding profession.
11. The British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry (BASCD) is the UK’s professional association for the science, philosophy and practice of promoting oral health in society.
12. The British Association of Private Dentistry (BAPD) advocates for high-quality dental care for all patients and helps professionals deliver it. The Association is the voice of private dentistry in the UK to ensure its concerns are heard.
13. The British Association of Oral Surgeons (BAOS) aims are to promote the development of specialist Oral Surgery practice and address issues relating to NHS and private practice, training, clinical governance and post-specialist training.
14. The British and Irish Society for Oral Medicine (BISOM) is the UK and Ireland’s recognised authority for clinical care, research, and education in oral medicine.
15. The British Endodontic Society (BES) aims to promote and advance endodontology to ensure that the dental and general health of the nation is both maintained and improved, and that lifelong education of the practitioner is encouraged and facilitated.
16. The British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) mission is to improve the oral health of children and young people. The Society’s executive committee provides strategic direction in line with our three-year plan and oversees our engagement with other special interest groups and political decision-makers.
17. The British Society of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry (BSP) was founded in 1949 to promote public and professional awareness of periodontology and implant dentistry to achieve our vision of “Periodontal Health For a Better Life”.
18. The Oral Health Foundation is an independent charity dedicated to improving oral health and wellbeing across the UK and around the world. Through education, advocacy and community programmes, the Oral Health Foundation works to reduce inequalities, increase access to information and services, and empower people to take control of their oral health.
19. The British Association of Dental Therapists (BADT) is representing Dental Therapists and promoting the use of their skill set within the dental team. As an association we aim to represent Dental Therapists in the political, national, international and public arena, inspire lifelong learning and professional development, promote dental team working, collaborate with other professional bodies for the advancement of Dental Therapists and advocate the study and growth of knowledge in the field of work carried out by Dental Therapists. 
20. The British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) represents the interests of members and provide a consultative body for public and private organisations on all matters relating to dental hygiene and therapy.
21. The British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN) aims at empowering nurses to advocate and advance the role of dental nursing through a platform of lifelong learning in order to enable a level of competently applied knowledge, skills and attitudes and behaviours related to the progression from novice to expert practice, that underpin the evolving demands of current and future healthcare for the UK population.
22. The Society of British Dental Nurses (SBDN) is a professional Society for dental nurses with a central focus on professional development, learning, success and excellence in practice. The core values of the Society draw together the excellence and development of the profession with the underlying principles of better outcomes for patients and addressing inequalities.
23. Association of Dental Groups (ADG) is the trade association for groups of dental and oral health care providers. They use a group model to serve NHS, private, and community-based patients.