Recent findings published in the Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal highlight the expanding role of community pharmacists in the sphere of dental care. With healthcare becoming an increasingly multidisciplinary field, the importance of community pharmacists in health maintenance and promotion has come under scrutiny. The study, led by Aline Hajj from the Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint-Joseph University in Beirut, Lebanon, aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of Lebanese community pharmacists toward oral healthcare.
The publication in question, penned by Hajj and colleagues from both the Saint-Joseph University and the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Lebanon, represents a concerted effort to delineate the current standing and potential barriers faced by pharmacists in providing dental care advice and services. With a staggering response rate of 78.88%, the survey encapsulates the perceptions of almost 500 pharmacists statewide. The study’s DOI is 10.1016/j.jsps.2019.01.010.
The Findings: A Triad of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice
The survey revealed that over half of the pharmacists surveyed possessed good perceived knowledge of common oral conditions, and an even larger majority acknowledged the importance of oral health promotion as part of their services. This emphasizes not only the readiness of pharmacists to engage with dental care issues but also their recognition of the role that they play within the broader healthcare system.
However, the study uncovered that 39% of pharmacists harbored positive attitudes toward oral health, whereas actual good practices concerning dental care were reported by 47.3%. This discrepancy suggests a potential gap between the will to provide excellent oral health services and the capability or resources to do so effectively.
The primary barriers to optimal dental practice among pharmacists included the limited interaction between dentists and pharmacists and a notable lack of training regarding oral health. This identifies a critical need for more robust educational frameworks and interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance the dental care contributions from the pharmacy front.
The Interplay of Factors Influencing Dental Care Approach
Through multivariable analyses, the study highlighted a significant positive correlation between pharmacists’ perceived knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Interestingly, it was observed that working in the pharmacy for over 40 hours a week was associated with higher perceived knowledge. Conversely, holding a PhD was linked to lower practice scores, possibly denoting a divide between the academic and practical realms. Furthermore, female pharmacists, according to the surveys, demonstrated lower practice scores, suggesting an influence of gender dynamics within the professional environment.
Educational Needs and Potential Solutions
Importantly, the survey pointed out that 28.77% of the pharmacists expressed difficulties in obtaining oral health information. This indicates a clear necessity for more accessible educational resources and continuous professional development opportunities specifically tailored to oral health.
A possible resolution lies in closer dentist-pharmacist collaborations, fostering a more integrated healthcare model that routinely includes oral health as part of community pharmacy services. This approach has been supported by other studies highlighting the potential benefits of such partnerships.
Reflections from the Global Context
These findings not only resonate within Lebanon but also have connotations globally. The role of pharmacists concerning dental care has been a subject of worldwide interest, as evidenced by similar studies conducted in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia and Riyadh (Bawazir O.A., 2014; Baseer M.A., et al., 2016).Pharmacists across different regions are increasingly identified as key players in dental health, providing advice on oral hygiene products, helping with smoking cessation, and even aiding in the early detection of oral diseases.
Towards a More Inclusive Health Ecosystem
The insights from Hajj et al.’s research underscore the need for educational reforms, better communication channels, and policy reinforcements to empower pharmacists in their growing role within dental care. Health authorities may consider revisiting the curricula of pharmacy programs to integrate oral health training. Additionally, developing partnerships with dental care professionals can offer a gateway to sharing expertise and resources necessary for comprehensive patient care.
The study signals a broader shift towards an inclusive health services model where interprofessional collaboration is paramount. This aligns with the World Health Organization’s advocacy for integrating oral health into primary healthcare and increasing accessibility to dental care services through community engagement (World Health Organization (WHO), 2018).
Keywords
1. Community Pharmacists Dental Care
2. Oral Health Practice Survey
3. Pharmacy Dental Knowledge
4. Pharmacists Oral Healthcare
5. Dental Care Professional Collaboration
References
1. Hajj, A. A., Hallit, S., Azzo, C. C., Abdou, F. F., Akel, M. M., Sacre, H. H., Salameh, P. P., & Rabbaa Khabbaz, L. (2019, May). Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice among community pharmacists towards dental care: A national cross-sectional survey. Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, 27(4), 475-483. doi:10.1016/j.jsps.2019.01.010.
2. Al-Saleh, H., Al-Houtan, T., Al-Odaill, K. (2017). Role of community pharmacists in providing oral health advice in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Dent. J., 29(3), 123–128.
3. Baseer, M.A., Mehkari, M.A., Al-Marek, F.A., Bajahzar, O.A. (2016). Oral health knowledge, attitude, and self-care practices among pharmacists in Riyadh, Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia. J. Int. Soc. Prev. Community Dent., 6(2), 134–141.
4. Bawazir, O.A. (2014). Knowledge and attitudes of pharmacists regarding oral healthcare and oral hygiene products in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. J. Int. Oral Health, 6(6), 10–13.
5. World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). Oral Health. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/oral_health/en/.
The study by Hajj Aline and colleagues offers a window into the evolving landscape of health service delivery, where community pharmacists are poised to take a more active role in ensuring the dental well-being of their clientele. As health professionals grapple with the challenges of modern healthcare demands, studies such as this illuminate the path towards more holistic and integrated approaches to public health.