Evaluation of the Knowledge and Practices About Drug Prescribing and Adverse Reaction Reporting Among Turkish Dentists

Olcay Kıroğlu; Zakir Khan; Fatih Berktaş; Emine Öz; İlker Ünal; Yusuf Karatas

doi:10.58600/eurjther-188

Authors

Olcay Kıroğlu Çukurova University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Pharmacology, Adana https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3182-2122
Zakir Khan Çukurova University, Faculty of Medicines, Department of Medical Pharmacology, Adana https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1365-548X
Fatih Berktaş Çukurova University, Faculty of Medicines, Department of Medical Pharmacology, Adana https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5215-2880
Emine Öz İstanbul Medeniyet University, Faculty of Medicines, Department of Medical Pharmacology, Istanbul https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6600-9177
İlker Ünal Cukurova University, Faculty of Medicines, Department of Biostatistics, Adana https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9485-3295
Yusuf Karatas Çukurova University, Faculty of Medicines, Department of Medical Pharmacology, Adana https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2892-5625

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58600/eurjther-188

Keywords:

Prescribing, Adverse drug reactions, Dentists, Hospital, Oral health, Survey

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to assess dental care professionals' drug prescription knowledge, practices, and reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs).

Methods: A cross-sectional exploratory study was conducted by using a face-to-face survey administered to a sample of dentists from tertiary care hospitals in Adana, Türkiye. A questionnaire consisted of six sections with closed-ended items including sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge about drugs, patient history information, counseling practices during prescribing, source of information and ADR reporting.

Results: The study included 180 dentists, with a 95.3% response rate. More than half of the dentists (50.6%) stated their level of knowledge about drug price/cost as low. Most of the dentists (50.6%;n=91) claimed that they never/rarely asked about health insurance during patient history information. Moreover, most of the participants reported that they never/rarely and sometimes counsel the patients regarding drug mechanism of action, side effects of the drug, interaction of prescribed drug with other drugs/nutrients. It was determined that the dentists learned about the drugs from Vademecum (Turkish Medication Guidebook: 70%;n=126) and the internet (55%;n=99). A higher proportion (85.5%) of the dentists indicated that they did not report ADR during their clinical practice.

Conclusion: This study showed a general improvement in dentists prescribing knowledge and practices, although they reported some lack of knowledge regarding drug cost, discussion about the possible side effect of a drug/interaction with other drugs/nutrients with patients and under-reporting of ADRs. Periodic education and training for dentists are critical to overcoming any problem related to prescribing errors and potential ADRs.