Knowledge and attitudes of pharmacists regarding oral health care and oral hygiene products in Chennai city

• Main Authors: Priya Shanmuga, Madan Kumar P, Ramachandran S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2008-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Dental Research
• Subjects: Community pharmacies; oral health advice; oral hygiene advice; pharmacists
• Online Access: http://www.ijdr.in/article.asp?issn=0970-9290;year=2008;volume=19;issue=2;spage=104;epage=108;aulast=Priya

<b>Objectives</b> : This study was done to find out the knowledge and attitudes of pharmacists regarding oral health care and oral hygiene products in Chennai city. <b> Materials and Methods</b> : A cross-sectional survey among a sample of the pharmacists in Chennai city was done and data regarding their knowledge and attitudes towards oral health care and oral hygiene products were obtained using a closed-ended questionnaire.<i> </i> Results: Among the 60 pharmacies approached, 50 pharmacists participated in the study and completed the questionnaire. Though 48&#x0025; of the participants gave a positive answer when asked whether they had met the dentist practicing close to their pharmacies, the frequency with which they met the dentist ranged from once a week (24&#x0025;) to once a month (28&#x0025;). Most of the pharmacists stocked oral health-related products, which comprised 15-25&#x0025; of their total stock. Of these products toothpaste was the most common (62&#x0025;), followed by mouth rinses (12&#x0025;). Toothache or painful teeth was the most common dental problem (78&#x0025;) for which patients approached the pharmacists for advice. With regard to the advice given, 38.5&#x0025; of the pharmacists asked the patient to consult a nearby dentist after dispensing medications, while 22.4&#x0025; of the pharmacists dispensed antibiotics and painkillers without any referral. Seventy percent of the pharmacists expressed interest in giving oral health care advice to patients. However, many of them (38&#x0025;) felt that lack of proper knowledge is a barrier to providing oral health care advice. <b> Conclusion</b> : It is clear from the present study that pharmacists are presently an underutilized resource, and there is a definitive need to improve their training and access to information on available dental services.