The Dental Prescription Notes Template
A dental prescription notes template captures the medication issuing decision — clinical diagnosis and explicit indication, drug name (INN) with dose / frequency / duration / quantity, allergy status confirmed, previous antibiotic history if antibiotic, SDCEP stewardship documentation (e.g. no antibiotic for pulpitis without systemic signs), and patient counselling — meeting SDCEP Drug Prescribing for Dentistry (3rd ed, 2016, bacterial infections section updated May 2026) and BNF 91 standards.
Prescribing antibiotics for pulpitis or dry socket without systemic signs directly contradicts SDCEP — and is the single most common antimicrobial stewardship failure in UK dental audits. Below is the template UK dentists paste into their PMS for every prescription.
Download the free Dental Prescription Note template — plain text, GDC/FGDP(UK)-aligned.
Why this dental prescription note template wins
- Explicit indication linked to clinical diagnosis — defends against SDCEP audit and antimicrobial stewardship review.
- Systemic signs CHECKLIST — defends "yes" for prescribing or "no" for declining.
- Allergy status confirmed at point of prescribing — protects against penicillin anaphylaxis errors.
- Patient counselling specific — completing course, side effects, safety-netting criteria.
- INN drug name — international non-proprietary, avoids prescribing errors.
Compliance: the medico-legal angle
- SDCEP Drug Prescribing for Dentistry (3rd ed, 2016; bacterial infections section updated May 2026) — first-line stewardship reference.
- BNF 91 — current dose / frequency / interaction reference.
- NICE NG15 — antimicrobial stewardship.
- GDC Principle 4 — prescribing decisions documented with clinical rationale.
- GMC Good Practice in Prescribing (cross-reference) — applies to all UK prescribers.
Common mistakes UK dentists make
- Antibiotic for pulpitis or apical periodontitis WITHOUT systemic signs — SDCEP non-compliance, audit failure.
- Antibiotic for dry socket — drainage and analgesia indicated, NOT antibiotic per SDCEP.
- No allergy status recorded — penicillin anaphylaxis risk.
- "Antibiotic given as patient requested" — patient pressure is NOT a clinical indication.
- No safety-netting criteria — patient deteriorates, has no instructions to return.
Frequently asked questions
When should I prescribe antibiotics for dental infection?
SDCEP: only when systemic signs of spreading infection — fever, spreading facial swelling, trismus, dysphagia, lymphadenopathy with malaise. Localised pulpitis or apical periodontitis without systemic signs = drainage (pulp extirpation or extraction) + analgesia, NOT antibiotic.
What if the patient demands an antibiotic?
Explain professionally — antibiotics are not indicated for their condition. Document the discussion ("patient requested antibiotic; explained per SDCEP not indicated; advised drainage / analgesia / safety-netting"). The patient's wishes are not a clinical indication. If they remain unhappy, complaints process is preferable to a stewardship breach.
First-line antibiotic for dental infection?
Amoxicillin 500mg TDS 5 days (oral). Penicillin-allergic: clarithromycin 500mg BD 5 days, OR metronidazole 400mg TDS 5 days. For severe spreading infection: amoxicillin + metronidazole combination. Always consult BNF + SDCEP for latest guidance.
Dry socket — antibiotic?
NO. SDCEP guidance: dry socket is managed with socket irrigation + analgesic dressing (e.g. Alvogyl) + patient counselling. NOT with antibiotic. Document the non-prescription decision and management.
Should I prescribe analgesics?
Routine analgesic prescriptions: usually not needed — paracetamol and ibuprofen are OTC and accessible. Prescribe if specific indication (e.g. patient cannot purchase, supplementary instructions). Document the rationale.
What about post-extraction antibiotic prophylaxis?
NICE CG64 — NOT recommended routinely for IE prophylaxis post-extraction. Reserved for highly specific cardiac risk groups per cardiologist advice. SDCEP for routine surgical procedures: prophylactic antibiotic only for graft cases, immunocompromised, prolonged surgery. Document the indication.