Frequency of Self-Medication and Knowledge about Out-of-Counter Drugs during the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Group of Iranian Dental Students

Abstract Objective: To study the frequency of self-medication and knowledge about out-of-counter drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic in a group of Iranian dental students. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among dental undergraduates from September 2021 to November 2021 after receiving ethical clearance from the Kerman Medical University Ethical Committee. A valid and reliable questionnaire, consisting of demographic data and questions about self-medication and knowledge about out-of-counter drugs, was sent to participants via E-mail. Data was analyzed by SPSS 26 software by using a t-test. The P-value was considered at a 0.05% significant level. Results: A total of 88 students participated in the study with a mean age of 21.39±3.71 years. Prevalence of self-medication was found in 53.4%. The most common cause for self-medication was headache. Acetaminophen was the most commonly used medicine for self-medication. Females had more self-medication than males, but there was no significant differences. There was no significant differences between entering year to university and self-medication. Younger students had significantly more self-medication (p=0.007). Knowledge about out-of-counter drugs was moderate. Conclusion: Moderate self-medication as noticed. The out-of-counter drugs were the most used. Although out-of-counter drugs seem relatively safe, their improper use can cause serious side effects. Dental students need to be educated regarding appropriate safe medication and out-of-counter drugs.

Frequency tongue coating in patients referred to Kerman Dental School and its relationship with relative factors.

OBJECTIVE: There has been shown a relationship between "tongue coating" and "Simplified Oral Health Index, periodontal status, modified mallampati classification (MMC) of the oropharynx and oral malodor". The purpose of this study is to assess the frequency of tongue coating and relative factors (sex, age, smoking, systemic disease and oral health indices) among patients referred to Dental School of Kerman University. METHODS: In this cross sectional study 250 patients referred to dental school of Kerman university of medical sciences were examined. The data collection form was included demographic data (gender, age, history of systemic disease and smoking) and Oral health indices such as TCI (Tongue coating index), OHI-S (Simplified Oral Hygiene Index), MGI (Modified Gingival Index), MMC and lost teeth. The analysis have been done using SPSS21, T-test, Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression analysis (significance level was set at less than 0.05). RESULTS: Tongue coating has been shown in 96% of patients with the mean percent of 45.83 ± 19.16%. Men had higher percent of TCI though it was not statistically significant. Smoking was the strongest determinant factor in people with higher TCI scores (P = 0.013). There was a positive significant correlation between OHI-S and TCI [(Pearson's coefficient(r) = 0.134, P = 0.034)]. CONCLUSION: TCI appears to be related to smoking and Simplified Oral Health Index. The evaluation of tongue coating is necessary to assess its impact on oral health status and also to motivate patients to clean their tongue as a part of their oral health care routine.

Drug-Drug Interactions in Elderly Adults in Dentistry Care: a Cross-Sectional Study.

Statement of the Problem: Given the increase in the population of the elderly patients and the risk of systemic diseases in these individuals, the prevalence of the intake of various drugs is higher in elderly patients, which exposes them to the side effects of drugs including potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Purpose: Therefore, the present study is an attempt to evaluate the drug interactions between the drugs used by the elderly patients visiting Kerman School of Dentistry and the common dental drugs in 2020. Materials and Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted on the elderly patients (≥60 years (who referred to Kerman School of Dentistry for dental problems. After obtaining the oral informed consent and collecting demographic information, the drugs used by the patients and their systemic diseases were questioned, listed, and compared with the drugs mentioned in their files. The drug interactions with the common dental drugs were studied in the elderly patients using the www.drugs.com website. Chi-square, T, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare the variables. The significance level was 0.05. Results: Of participants included in this study, 78 (52%) were female and 72(48%) were male. The average age of these patients was 71.27 6.32 years. The most common systemic diseases were hypertension (57.3%), heart diseases (42.0%), and diabetes mellitus (40.7%). Our analysis of the DDIs between 11 commonly prescribed dental drugs and 95 drugs used by the patients revealed 212 DDIs (21.7% minor, 68.3% moderate, and 9.9% major interactions). There was a significant relationship between the number of drugs and DDIs, whereas DDIs had no significant relationship with gender and educational level. Conclusion: The results reflected the high percentage of DDIs among the patients. In addition, there was a significant relationship between polypharmacy, which is highly prevalent among the elderly patients, and drug interactions.