Practices of self-medication of dental pain in the general population of india

Abstract

Background: Self-medication is the term used according to one's own diagnosis and not through a medical professional's recommendation to describe the usage and administration of drugs and medication. It has been commonly practiced for a long period of time, particularly because it is cheaper and more convenient for the subject. The increased accessibility and affordability of drugs and prescriptions in pharmacies and medical stores is a major reason why the practice of self-medication is growing. Antibiotic medicines are one of the most common and widely used medicines, and in self-medication, they have also been found to be the most consumed drug. Objectives: This research was carried out to study the practice of self-medication in dental pain among India's general population and to assess the extent of people's awareness. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The study was performed over a six-month period and data from 150 participants was obtained. The study was community-based, and data from India's general population was collected.Results: During their lifespan, 116 (77 %) of the participants suffered from toothache, while the remaining 34 (23 %) did not. 58 (50 %) of those 116 individuals would still seek medical attention, while 36 (31 %) would not. A high prevalence of self-medication in India was seen in our research. Paracetamol, which is a strong analgesic, was the most popular drug taken. Conclusion: In order to decrease the practice of self-medication, health care services should be made readily available and accessible to everyone and also at reasonable rates.

_{Keywords: Self-Medication, Prescription drugs, Toothache, Oral hygiene.}