Self-medication Profile of Dental Patients in Tumkur, South India

Objective: The rational use of drugs or medicines is an essential aspect of achieving good and effective health care delivery and this is an essential goal of the WHO. 1Since drug therapy is a very important aspect of healthcare management, it follows that if drugs are misused or abused, this may have considerable effect on the overall outcome of the health of the individual members of a community and by extension, the whole community with attendant socio-economic implications. Hence the study conducted to estimate the prevalence of self-medication among patients visiting the outpatient department of Sree Siddhartha Dental College and Hospital, Tumkur. Methodology: This questionnaire based study was conducted among patients visiting to Siddhartha Dental College, Tumkur. Results: The prevalence of self medication was 96.46% among dental patients. Study showed, 96% of graduates practiced self medication and common in town area. Analgesics were commonly used for self medication. Common reasons for self medications were time constraints, previous experience of treating a similar illness. Conclusion: Health professionals have to spend some extra time in educating patients regarding the same. Improved knowledge and understanding about self-medication may result in rationale use and thus limit emerging microbial resistance issues.