Survey of drug used and medical history among dental out-patients

Abstract

Information about drug used and medical history among dental patients would be useful for dental practice and teaching of clinical pharmacology. Therefore, 541 consecutive adult outpatients of Mahidol dental school were studied in 1987. The names of drug used and medical problems were obtained by direct questioning. Out of patients surveyed, 307 (56.7%) were taking drugs and the most commonly drug used was non-narcotic analgesics. 300 patients (55.4%) had medical problems and allergy was the most common disease. The frequency of patients who taking drugs and having medical problems varied between age groups. The highest frequency of medication intake was found in patients with age above thirty. The highest frequency of significant medical conditions was found in patients with age above fifty. The data from this investigation revealed that the medical problems of patients which affect dental treatment were very common. Consequently, the dental personnel should study more about the pharmacology of systemic drugs and the nature of systemic diseases.