SELF-MEDICATION AMONG PATIENTS WITH DENTAL PROBLEMS

Authors: IULIA-DIANA MURARIU, TUDOR CIUHODARU

Abstract:

Worldwide, since self-medication is a fairly common practice, it is also considered an important public health problem. Prevalence ratIOs vary from country to country, low and middle income countries having higher risks of antimicrobial self-medication. In dental care, the main reason for self-medication is pain (toothache), people usually resorting to analgesics and antibiotics. Many individuals also use various home remedies that could lead to a series of complications. Furthermore, when selfmedicating for dental issues, a high percentage of individuals are unaware of what dose they should take, for how long, or what side effects are possible. As a consequence, there is a need to better educate the general public about the use of medication (especially antibiotics) in self-care.

Keywords:
  • children
  • dentistry
  • odontophobic
  • over-the-counter drugs
  • psychotherapies
  • self-medication