Table 3: Physicians’ Opinions on Oral Health in Relation to Medication Prescribing Practice

 

Item (n = 62)

Mean (SD)

Disagree/Strongly disagree N (%)

Neutral N (%)

Agree/ Strongly Agree N (%)

a.    Dentists rarely consider the medical ramifications of the oral health care they provide.

2.77 (0.9)

25 (40.3)

24 (38.7)

13 (21.0)

b.    Many medications are prescribed by physicians without consideration of their oral health ramifications.

3.61 (0.9)

8 (12.9)

16 (25.8)

38 (61.3)

c.    The drug labels of most drugs that can have xerostomic (dry mouth) effects do not contain information on their potential impacts on oral health.

3.60 (0.9)

7 (11.3)

18 (29.0)

37 (59.7)

d.    The inadvertent prescribing of medicines that can have xerostomic effects without considering oral health implications is a major problem.

3.34 (0.9)

10 (16.1)

 

23 (37.1)

29 (46.8)

e.    Patients taking medicines that can have xerostomic effects are adequately informed about the importance of maintaining dental health while taking the medications.

2.34 (0.8)

36 (58.1)

23 (37.1)

3 (4.8)

f.     Physicians prescribing immunosuppressive and cytotoxic pharmaceuticals infrequently inquire about a patient’s oral status.

3.34 (0.8)

7 (11.3)

30 (48.4)

25 (40.4)

 

g.    Physicians prescribing immunosuppressive and cytotoxic pharmaceuticals rarely advise patients about the importance of maintaining dental health while taking the medications. (n = 61)

3.30 (0.8)

7 (11.5)

33 (54.1)

21 (34.4)

h.    Pharmacists are a great source to my patients for advice on drugs with oral health untoward effects.

3.48 (1.0)

10 (16.1)

21 (33.9)

31 (50.0)