RESUMEN
Self-medication with antibiotics may increase the risk of inappropriate use and development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics amongst dental outpatients in Iranian population. Methods and Materials: One thousand and two hundred of dentistry patients, who were referred to dental school clinics in ten major provinces of Iran, participated in this study. A valid self-administered questionnaire regarding self-medication with antibiotics in case of dental pain was used to collect data. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Logistic regression analysis. Results: In our study population, the prevalence of self-medication was 42.6%. Amongst the Iranian cities, the highest prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics belonged to the city of Bandar Abbas (64%) and the lowest was seen in the city of Kerman (27.3%). Men were more likely to take antibiotics. Amoxicillin was the mostly used antibiotic. Severe pain, previous self-medications and high costs of dental visits were the most common reasons for self-medication with antibiotics in the investigated population. In addition, the present study showed that marriage, acceptable financial status and high level of education could decrease self-medication with antibiotics. Conclusions: In the current investigation, an alarming fact was that self-medication for dental problems seemed very common amongst the studied population. One of its most important consequences was bacterial resistance. Therefore, there should be plans to promote and prioritize public health awareness and encourage general public's motivation to reduce the practice of self-medication.
RESUMEN
Purpose: To compare the accuracy of dental age (DA) estimates in children using the Demirjian method and the proportion of root resorption in primary teeth.Methods: Panoramic images from 497 children aged three to 11.99 years were evaluated. Individuals were classified in five groups of two-year age intervals. Seven permanent teeth in the left mandible were scored based on diagrams developed by Demirjian. The proportion of root resorption was determined in the primary mandibular left canine and primary second molar, and age was estimated according to the length of root resorption (one quarter, one half, three quarters).Results: The Demirjian method tended to overestimate DA, except for the 10- to 11.99 year-old category in girls. The greatest overestimation was in four- to 5.99 year-old children. Except for the youngest category, the difference between DA and chronological age, according to the Demirjian method, decreased with increasing age in both sexes. The root resorption method tended to underestimate age, except for canine root resorption in boys.Conclusion: Estimated DA was closest to chronological age when the former was based on canine root resorption. Both the Demirjian and root resorption methods were effective and can be used to determine age in children.
