29 October 2025

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Smarter Prescribing, Healthier Outcomes: Lecture Explores Antibiotic Stewardship in Dentistry

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With the Centers for Disease Control estimating that more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur in the U.S. each year, more focus is given to antibiotic stewardship programs to promote smarter prescribing, optimize better patient outcomes and minimize the risk of antibiotic resistance. 

Dr. Erinne Kennedy will present “Antibiotic Stewardship: Policy, Practice and Processes,” during the biennial Brauman-Bell Alpha Omega Lectureship presented by Texas A&M University College of Dentistry, Thursday, Oct. 16. 

During the lecture, she will define the challenges with antibiotic use and will delve into best practices for dental clinicians as well as in other health care professions and will review current evidence base for antibiotic use in dentistry. 

Participants will be shown an example of an antibiotic stewardship program that was implemented at the state level, and they will brainstorm programs and policies that have the potential to work in their state. They will also discuss future policy state and national options for antibiotic stewardship. 

Kennedy, assistant dean for curriculum and integrated learning at Kansas City University College of Dental Medicine, has been a part of the American Dental Association expert panel for developing the guideline on the Use of Antibiotics for the Emergency Management of Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis, Symptomatic Apical Periodontitis, and Localized Acute Apical Abscess. She also was a speaker for the first interdisciplinary statewide training in Massachusetts on antibiotic stewardship. Alongside her team, Kennedy helped create and release a state toolkit, website and training specifically for oral health clinicians on antibiotic stewardship clinical practice. 

Currently, she’s a contributing editor for Dental Economics and Dental Entrepreneur Women. Kennedy is an expert spokesperson on behalf of the ADA for antibiotic use and stewardship in dentistry and serves as secretary on the Council for Education for the American Association of Public Health Dentistry.  

Lecture attendees are invited to a reception at 4:30 p.m. The lecture will run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the sixth floor of the dental school. For information or to register for the event, visit https://tx.ag/BraumanBell2025. The lecture is free for College of Dentistry faculty, residents and students. Two hours of continuing education credits are provided.  

The Brauman-Bell Alpha Omega Lectureship was established in 1992 when the Dallas alumni chapter of Alpha Omega International Fraternity presented a $10,000 contribution from Dr. Alfred W. Brauman ‘38 to what was then Baylor College of Dentistry.  

The lectureship was named in honor of College of Dentistry alumni Dr. Welden E. Bell ’34 and Dr. Brauman. The two distinguished dental professional leaders maintained a 52-year friendship. The lectureship was endowed in 1977 through gifts to the college from Dr. Brauman’s daughter, Tricia Michaelson. It exists to biennially invite a nationally distinguished individual in the area of oral health, medicine as it relates to oral health, dental and craniofacial research, and/or oral health education to address faculty, students, alumni, staff, practicing dental professionals, medical professionals, community members and guests. 

Source: https://insights.dentistry.tamu.edu/