Knowledge and attitudes of pharmacists regarding oral health care and oral hygiene products in Chennai city.
Article
in En
| IMSEAR
| ID: sea-51811
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
This study was done to find out the knowledge and attitudes of pharmacists regarding oral health care and oral hygiene products in Chennai city. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
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.RESULTS:
Among the 60 pharmacies approached, 50 pharmacists participated in the study and completed the questionnaire. Though 48% 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%) to once a month (28%). Most of the pharmacists stocked oral health-related products, which comprised 15-25% of their total stock. Of these products toothpaste was the most common (62%), followed by mouth rinses (12%). Toothache or painful teeth was the most common dental problem (78%) for which patients approached the pharmacists for advice. With regard to the advice given, 38.5% of the pharmacists asked the patient to consult a nearby dentist after dispensing medications, while 22.4% 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%) felt that lack of proper knowledge is a barrier to providing oral health care advice.CONCLUSION:
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.
Full text:
1
Index:
IMSEAR
Main subject:
Oral Hygiene
/
Pharmacists
/
Humans
/
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
/
Cross-Sectional Studies
/
Surveys and Questionnaires
/
Dental Care
/
Professional Role
/
Dentists
/
India
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Qualitative_research
/
Risk_factors_studies
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
En
Year:
2008
Type:
Article