Assessment of adverse reaction experiences of dentists for common analgesics in dental applications

Bilgin E. Assessment of Adverse Reaction Experiences of Dentists for Common Analgesics in Dental Applications. Yeditepe University Institute of Health Sciences Pharmacoeconomics and Epidemiology Master Program. Istanbul, 2014.Purpose: The main aim of the study is to emphasize important adverse reactions of analgesics (paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids) commonly used in dentistry and to assess experiences of the dentists regarding the issue.Material & Method: National and international literature has been searched by using keywords. Concordantly, Pubmed, Sciencedirect, Ulakbim and other databases have been reached on Yeditepe University Information Center. Moreover, publicly available publications have been reviewed and some of them have been included into the study. In additional, national and international health authorities' web sites have been evaluated with regards to analgesics' adverse reactions and related guidelines and announcements. IMS (Intercontinental Marketing Service) data that have been published on in the world have been viewed. Furthermore, sales information of analgesics between 2007-2012 in Turkey have been extracted from IMS Programme. Web-based programme which is called RxMediaPharma (2014) and Turkey Medication Guideline-6 (TİK-6) have been use to provide better understanding in reference to adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of analgesics. In line with the purpose of the study, focus-group interviews have been performed with two dentist groups. First group works as an academician in one of the important dentistry faculty in Turkey and the second group of dentists are members of substantial non-profit organization of dentists.Findings: Dentists as one of the most significant stakeholders of pharmacovigilance do not have much experience against ADRs of analgesics but dentists encounter any ADRs they do not know about reporting of ADRs which is one of the most significant part of pharmacovigilance.Conclusion: Dentists should be trained via organizations arranged by Ministry of Health and pharmaceutical companies. By this way, dentists can direct their patients (brochures, posters or direct information) better in line with drug safety. In addition, one session in congress of dentistry should be separated for pharmacovigilance and drug safety to keep their information updated and e-learning should become available for dentists that do not participate to congresses. Finally, further studies are needed to evaluate ADR experiences and behaviors of dentists with regards to analgesics because this study is the first for related field.