Zeeshan Sheikh, Dip.Dh, BDS, MSc, M.Perio, PhD, FIADFE, FRCDC, Dip-ABP and Anjali Bhagirat: BDS, MSc, PhD, FRCDC, Dip-ABP
Lecture
This course is part of the Association for Continuing Dental Education Joint Live Webinar Series.
This course is part of the Association for Continuing Dental Education Joint Live Webinar Series*
Course Description
Antibiotic use is an important part of modern dental practice, and it is imperative to ensure the optimal and justifiable use of antibiotics to achieve therapeutic goals while minimizing adverse effects and the risk of antibiotic resistance. This comprehensive continuing education lecture is designed to equip dental professionals with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about antibiotic use in various clinical scenarios.
Delivered by two periodontists who are also clinician-scientists, this lecture bridges the gap between evidence-based research and clinical practice. With their expertise in both advanced clinical care and academic research, the presenters will provide an in-depth exploration of when, who, and how to prescribe antibiotics effectively in dental practice. The session will cover key topics, including:
- Understanding Antibiotic Indications: Learn when antibiotics are truly warranted, focusing on periodontal procedures, dental extractions, implant placement, and infection management.
- Patient-Centered Prescribing: Explore patient-specific factors, such as medical history, comorbidities, and risk of infection, to tailor antibiotic use for optimal outcomes.
- Best Practices for Prescribing: Gain practical guidance on selecting the right antibiotics, determining appropriate dosages, and setting treatment durations to maximize efficacy while reducing risks.
- Addressing Antibiotic Resistance: Understand the growing global challenge of antibiotic resistance and how to implement strategies for responsible prescribing in your practice.
Throughout the lecture, the presenters will discuss real-world case studies to illustrate complex scenarios and provide actionable takeaways. The interactive format encourages questions and discussions, ensuring that participants leave with a comprehensive understanding of how to integrate these principles into daily practice.
This course is ideal for general dentists, periodontists, oral surgeons, and dental hygienists seeking to enhance their knowledge of antibiotic use in dentistry. By the end of the session, participants will be better equipped to make evidence-based decisions that improve patient care while contributing to global efforts to combat antibiotic resistance. Join us for an engaging and informative session that will empower you to prescribe antibiotics with confidence and responsibility.
Course Objectives
As a result of attending this webinar, you will be able to:
- Identify Indications for Antibiotic Use: Recognize clinical scenarios where antibiotics are necessary in dentistry, including periodontal procedures, extractions, dental implant placement, and the management of infections.
- Understand Antibiotic Mechanisms and Resistance: Explain the principles of antibiotic action, the risks associated with overuse, and strategies to mitigate antibiotic resistance in dental practice.
- Tailor Antibiotic Prescriptions to Individual Patients: Evaluate patient-specific factors such as medical history, systemic conditions, and allergy profiles to optimize antibiotic therapy for safe and effective outcomes.
- Select Appropriate Antibiotic Regimens: Choose the correct type, dosage, and duration of antibiotic therapy for specific dental procedures and infections based on current evidence-based guidelines.
- Incorporate Antibiotic Stewardship into Practice: Develop strategies to minimize unnecessary antibiotic use while ensuring effective management of dental and periodontal infections.
- Enhance Collaboration Across Dental Teams: Foster communication and collaboration with hygienists, specialists, and medical professionals to ensure comprehensive and coordinated patient care.
These objectives are designed to provide participants with a clear framework for effectively integrating responsible antibiotic prescribing into their clinical practice.
Instructors
Anjali Bhagirath is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Periodontics at Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Dentistry. She is a Periodontist and Microbiologist with a strong background in research, clinical practice, and teaching.
A well-published author, Dr. Bhagirath’s research focuses on oral-systemic interactions and host-pathogen dynamics at mucosal interfaces. Her work explores the impact of the oral microbiome on systemic health, contributing to advancements in periodontal and microbiological research. Dr. Bhagirath is actively involved in clinical periodontics and is passionate about translating scientific discoveries into improved patient care.
Zeeshan Sheikh
is a Clinical Scientist, Assistant Professor-Tenure track in Periodontics at Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Dentistry, an Adjunct Professor at McGill University, and a Status-Only Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada and a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. With extensive training as both a dental clinician and a biomaterials scientist, Dr. Sheikh’s expertise spans biomaterials research related to bone grafts and regeneration, surgical periodontics, and implantology. He also practices privately in Halifax, Nova Scotia as a periodontal surgeon.
Disclosures:
- Drs. Bhagirath and Sheikh have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
- The staff of the University of Washington Office of Continuing Dental Education have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Course Logistics
DATE:
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
LOCATION:
Online Webinar
TARGET AUDIENCE:
All Dental Professionals
TIMES:
5:00pm – 7:00pm Pacific time
TUITION:
$69/Participant
CREDITS:
2 hours
*The University of Washington in conjunction with the Association for Continuing Dental Education (ACDE), along with 38 of its member schools jointly presents the “ACDE Webinar Series”
This series features university-based key opinion leaders presenting numerous topics on multiple dates and times. Presentations are available to meet every dental health care professional’s schedule and interests.
Conflict of Interest
In accordance with the ADA CERP Standard V., everyone involved in planning or presenting this educational activity will be required to disclose any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests and this information will be made available to participants at the start of the course.
As a continuing education provider, University of Washington Continuing Dental Education is responsible for ensuring the content, quality and scientific integrity of all continuing dental education activities for which credit is provided. The School is also responsible for taking steps to protect against and/or disclose any conflict of interest of the faculty/instructors presenting those courses.
Cancellation and Refunds
For this live webinar, a registration refund will be issued for cancellations received by Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration will remain open until the webinar begins – NO REFUNDS will be accepted once the webinar has begun. Cancellations must be received in email to dentalce@uw.edu The cancellation request must include: the name of the course, name of the person registered, name of the person requesting the cancellation, and the reason for the cancellation.
By providing my information, I consent to receive communication via mail, email, fax, and phone from the University of Washington Continuing Dental Education office. The Continuing Dental Education office will not share your information with anyone.
Dental education institutions have an obligation to disseminate new knowledge related to dental practice. In so doing, some presentations may include controversial materials or commercial references. Sponsorship of a continuing education course by the University of Washington does not necessarily imply endorsement of a particular philosophy, procedure, or product by this institution.
The University of Washington Continuing Dental Education cautions continuing dental education participants that there are potential risks of using limited knowledge when incorporating new techniques and procedures into the practice of dentistry, especially when the continuing education course has not provided supervised clinical experience and/or competency tests in the techniques or procedures.
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University of Washington
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The University of Washington is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.
ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.
This continuing education activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the standards of the ADA Continuing Education Recognition Program (ADA CERP) through joint efforts between the University of Washington and ACDE member schools.
The University of Washington is a member of the Association for Continuing Dental Education.
University of Washington designates this activity for 2 continuing education credits.