Avoid Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Dental Patients With Prosthetic Joints

Questions are still coming up about when to use antibiotics before dental procedures in patients with prosthetic joints.

Experts have been moving away from recommending antibiotics to prevent endocarditis...due to evidence that they're usually not helpful. Antibiotics are typically saved for patients with prior endocarditis, artificial valves, some congenital heart diseases, etc.

Now there's a move to avoid antibiotic prophylaxis before dental procedures in patients who've had a joint replacement...to help ensure judicious antibiotic use.