This course will examine the nature and progression of endocarditis along with peer-reviewed data from 1995 to 2024 concerning bacterial endocarditis and antibiotic prophylaxis in dentistry. The oral microbiology and the evolving antimicrobial treatments utilized to prevent bacterial endocarditis will be reviewed. Further, it will investigate the antibiotic safety profiles and comorbidities that may extend the subset of patients who should undergo prophylaxis beyond the published recommendations. Finally, this report will critically examine the potential need for new and expanded guidelines to increase patient safety and endocarditis prevention efficacy.
Educational objectives
- Describe the patient presentation of subacute bacterial endocarditis and outline the risk factors for subacute bacterial endocarditis associated with the provision of dental care
- Describe the prophylactic antibiotics recommended to minimize the risk of subacute bacterial endocarditis during dental care delivery
- Review the interprofessional team members’ roles in preventing subacute bacterial endocarditis and prosthetic joint infection
About the Author

Eric S. Bornstein, DMD, BS, is a biochemist, dentist, and photobiologist. He has managed six human clinical trials in the infectious disease space, including periodontal disease. Dr. Bornstein is widely published in peer-reviewed journals such as Current Trends in Microbiology, Dentistry Today, and Compendium. He currently delivers CE webinars for the Institute for Natural Resources (inrseminars.com) on the subjects of circadian medicine, inflammation, pharmacology, marijuana, vaping, opioids, hallucinogens, and periodontal disease. His best-selling medical and fiction books can be found at drericbornstein.com.
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