Facilitated self-medication practice in pharmacies in combating oral health needs: A questionnaire-based study

Abstract

Abstract Aim: Many dental patients seek symptomatic treatment at pharmacies due to the lack of awareness and cost of definitive treatments such as fillings, scaling, and root canal therapy. Pharmacists are increasingly facilitating dental health self-medication due to this trend. Thus, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of pharmacist-facilitated self-medication and medication dispensing for dental and oral health needs, as well as their perspectives and limitations. Materials and Methods: In this questionnaire-based study, 101 pharmacists were enrolled using a convenience sampling method. The questionnaire survey tool comprised 21 close-ended questions distributed under three sections: demographics, facilitated self-medication practice, and attitude toward it, providing us with a prevalence of pharmacist-facilitated self-medication and their perspective toward this practice. Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact probability test along with logistic regression was performed for statistical analysis of data. Results: The study found that 96% of pharmacists dispensed prescription and OTC dental drugs. Analgesics (76.2%), antipyretics (52.5%), and antibiotics (46.5%) were the most common medications dispensed by respondents for toothache. Mild problems, patient experience, and self-knowledge allowed for rational self-medication. The main argument against the practice was that dentists should solely prescribe dental medications as they need more definitive treatment rather than arbitrary consumption of antibiotic. Conclusion: This study reveals a high prevalence of facilitated self-medication with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs being the most commonly dispensed drug for oral health needs. Further studies with greater inclusive sample size are required to assess, monitor the effects of pharmacist-facilitated self-medication, and suggest amendments in pharmacy act for the benefit of both dental patients and community pharmacists.