Knowledge, attitude and practice of dental products by the out patients of dental college and hospital-questionnaire survey

Awareness, attitude and pattern regarding oral health among general public has grown, but the practice of self-medication is posing a threat to life. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate self-medication practice and medicine knowledge among the out patients visiting dental college and hospital.

The study was anonymous, questionnaire-based survey conducted among 400 subjects, aged above 18 years visiting the out-patient department of a Dental College and Hospital. The questionnaire consisted of demographic details, questions regarding the type of medication, the source of knowledge of the medicines, illness for which the medication was used, reason for self-medication and reason for not adhering to the prescriptions. The collected data was analyzed using the SPSS Version 21.

Knowledge of usage of dental products was 74.4%, 31.6% ticked television as the source of information, 88.4% of the respondents felt that the prescription is required for the dispensing of the drug at the pharmacy. 52.2% of the respondents followed the instructions given by the dentist.

A majority of the respondents had a fair knowledge about the dental products prior to their visit to the dental college. The major source of information was from the dentists, television and from friends. The larger population did know that the prescription was important for procuring the medication and also to follow the instruction for the proper drug dosage, time of consumption and for the duration of the course.