This website presents implementation advice from the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP) about antibiotic prophylaxis against infective endocarditis. It has been developed primarily to assist dental teams to implement dentally relevant recommendations from NICE Clinical Guideline 64 (CG64) Prophylaxis against infective endocarditis. 

It aims to help dental teams to:

• identify those patients at high or moderate risk of IE
• identify the patients for whom antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended or should be considered
• provide information on prevention of IE to these patients
• identify which dental procedures require antibiotic cover 

This implementation advice will also be of relevance to cardiac surgery and cardiology teams, pharmacists and other relevant healthcare professionals.

Key messages

• Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended or should be considered for patients with high risk cardiac conditions
• Antibiotic prophylaxis is not recommended for patients with moderate risk cardiac conditions
• All patients at increased risk of infective endocarditis should be given advice about prevention
• Dental teams must make a shared decision with their patients about antibiotic prophylaxis for 'at-risk' dental procedures
• Dental teams should explain the potential benefits and harms of antibiotic prophylaxis so that patients can make an informed decision about whether prophylaxis is appropriate for their individual situation

For a list of the main changes in the second edition of this implementation advice, refer to Main changes in this edition.

'Supporting safe, effective, sustainable, person-centred prevention and care'