Investigation of Awareness of Oral Care and Understanding of Oral Health among Patients Visiting a Community Pharmacy: A Questionnaire-Survey Study

This distinctive single-center survey study aimed to assess the actual awareness of oral care and the understanding of oral health and periodontal disease among patients visiting not a dental clinic, but a community pharmacy. Out of the 225 patients who were given the questionnaire, 150 provided valid responses. Participants were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of interest in oral care. The proportion of participants in the interested group who had relatives working in healthcare, visited the dentist frequently, and used oral care products was significantly higher than that of participants in the uninterested group. However, in each group, only a small proportion of participants understood parts of the oral cavity regarding the development of periodontal disease. More patients with diabetes were in the uninterested group. Participants in the uninterested group also tend to show a passive attitude for oral health. Furthermore, a large number of participants were unaware that pregnancy and genetics could be risk factors for periodontal disease. The results indicated that the one of the most important factors in improving oral care awareness is providing accurate information regarding oral hygiene and prevention of periodontal disease. Pharmacies and pharmacists serve as the most accessible healthcare institutions and professionals within the community. Therefore, to prevent periodontal disease and to improve oral health awareness, pharmacists need to provide information regarding oral health and pharmacies should serve as the first point of access for community residents.