Medical History Mysteries: New AHA guidelines for antibiotic prophylaxis

Drs. Pamela Maragliano-Muniz and Tom Viola discuss what the new AHA guidelines say, what dosages to use for each antibiotic, and what to consider with patients who are already taking antibiotics to treat other issues.
Sept. 2, 2021

The American Heart Association issued new antibiotic prophylaxis protocols for infective endocarditis. How does this affect us in dentistry?

It seems that these new guidelines point to a change in our prescribing of antibiotics in general. Amoxicillin has always been the number one drug we would use—as long as the patient wasn’t allergic to penicillin—and clindamycin was the alternative. However, the AHA now indicates that other agents may be better options.

In this episode of Medical History Mysteries, Dr. Tom Viola and I discuss what the new guidelines say, what to ask our patients, what dosages to use for each antibiotic, and what to consider with patients who are already taking antibiotics to treat other issues.

Read the American Heart Association on antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines (last updated January 2022)

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Through the Loupes newsletter, a publication of the Endeavor Business Media Dental Group. Read more articles and subscribe to Through the Loupes.

About the Author

Pamela Maragliano, DMD

Pamela Maragliano, DMD, is the chief editor of Dental Economics. Based in Salem, Massachusetts, Dr. Maragliano began her clinical career as a dental hygienist. She went on to attend Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, where she earned her doctorate in dental medicine. She then attended the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dental Medicine, where she became board-certified in prosthodontics. Dr. Maragliano owns a private practice, Salem Dental Arts, and lectures on a variety of clinical topics. You may contact her at [email protected].

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