An assessment of prescribing skills among dental students in the eastern province, Saudi Arabia, University of Dammam

Abstract

Background: The objectives of the study were to assess knowledge and prescription skills of medications among dental student in Dammam University and evaluate the efficiency of an online application in improving their knowledge.Methods: A cross sectional pre-post study was conducted, a total of 96 students from 4th year to interns were enrolled. A formulated questionnaire was distributed to the students. An application that contained the most common drugs used in dentistry was made by the research team with help of the IT department and then launched. The same questionnaire was distributed again after one month from the time they got the application to evaluate its efficiency.Results: Overall knowledge about medications was poor. Fifth year students reported better knowledge than their colleagues. All students have better knowledge about antibiotics compared to other drugs. Overall knowledge about therapeutic agents improved significantly after the web application (p˂0.001).Conclusions: Students have poor knowledge about medications. Using technology is an effective way to improve prescribing skill among dental students.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards Drug Prescription for Oral Mucosal Lesions in Saudi Arabia

“…The undergraduate students in Saudi universities usually learned the drug prescription in 2 pharmacological courses, however these courses are theoretical does not improve significantly the prescriptions skills of students. Therefore, dental students in this study showed higher level of prescription knowledge in comparison to prescription practices 11 . The present study, demonstrated a good prescription practices in higher percentage of internship students compared to other students.…”

“…The present study, demonstrated a good prescription practices in higher percentage of internship students compared to other students. Similarly, a study conducted in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, found a significant difference in practices of antifungal prescription between the internship students and other students 11 . The knowledge of students is expected to increase by the increase in educational level, and the dental practices are usually improved in internship year.…”

“…The findings of Moura et al study found that knowledge improved as the academic level increased 18 . A study of Alali et al found an increase in students' knowledge about drug prescription after educational intervention using phone application allowed them to access the database about drugs in Saudi Arabia, their names, uses and adverse effects 11 . The present study found a higher proportion of female students had a high level of knowledge and better prescription practices than those in males.…”

“…Thus, the dentist should have good communication with the pharmacists in addition to knowledge about medications used in the treatment of oral diseases. A study conducted in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, found a significant difference in practices of antifungal prescription between the internship students and other students 11 . Dental students should be aware about the management of oral mucosal diseases as well as the major oral diseases such as dental caries, gingivitis and periodontitis.…”