Agenda item 11.8 (Document A72/17 and EB144.R11)

This statement is made by FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) the official representative body of over one million dentists.

We encourage the adoption of Resolution EB144.R11 by the Assembly.

Dentists should not be overlooked in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). As dentists prescribe around 10% of all antibiotics commonly used, they are key stakeholders in combating AMR. We therefore urge countries to reach out to their National Dental Associations (NDAs) when developing and implementing national action plans (NAPs) to counter antibiotic resistance. FDI and our NDAs, which are present in more than 130 countries, are here to help.

As noted in the Director-General’s report, countries face many challenges with the implementation and operationalization of NAPs. We request that funding mechanisms for NAPs are considered during the UNGA meeting this September in order to ensure sustained effective global action to address AMR.

FDI is committed to support the WHO Global Action Plan on AMR, especially Objective 1 by raising awareness and understanding about AMR among oral health professionals through effective communication, education and training.

We will be holding a session at the FDI World Dental Congress this September on the role of dentists and dental teams in mitigating antibiotic resistance. The session will feature a group of AMR experts, including Director of the WHO AMR Secretariat Dr Marc Sprenger. The session will be followed up with the release of a White Paper that FDI is currently developing, which will discuss antibiotic stewardship (ABS) in dentistry.

We are also pleased to share that FDI has contributed to the 2019 edition of AMR Control (published by the World Alliance Against Antibiotic Resistance) with a piece on ABS in dentistry. Copies of the publication will be circulated during the World Health Assembly.