Gaining a comprehensive understanding of antimicrobial resistance in dental education: a mixed methods study protocol

Background

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most pressing global health challenges of the 21st century, driven in part by suboptimal prescription of antibiotics. Most antibiotic use worldwide occurs in outpatient settings, including dental practice, where dentists account for approximately 5-11% of all prescriptions. Educational environments play a critical role in shaping prescribing behaviors early in professional development, and interventions implemented during undergraduate training are more effective at changing clinical practice than those introduced later in clinical careers. However, research on how dental curricula, institutional culture, and stakeholder perspectives influence antimicrobial stewardship education is limited. Therefore, this study proposes a comprehensive evaluation of antibiotic prescribing practices and AMR education across all dental schools in Québec, Canada.