The rationale, organisation and evaluation of a campaign to increase the use of sugar-free paediatric medicines.
OBJECTIVE
To conduct and evaluate a dental health education campaign to encourage the use of sugar-free rather than sugar-containing medicines.


METHODS
Meetings were organised for general medical practitioners, pharmacists and health visitors where the campaign was explained and discussed. Leaflets were given to parents by the health professionals. The campaign targeted the use of children's medicines from several aspects, namely when recommended, prescribed, sold and used.


METHODS
The campaign was conducted in the North West Region.


METHODS
The campaign was directed at parents of young children, and health professionals, namely, general medical practitioners, pharmacists and health visitors.


METHODS
Evaluation was by means of questionnaires, sales figures and prescriptions of medicines.


RESULTS
There was an increase in the proportion of sugar-free paracetamol prescribed in five out of six districts. The frequency of sugar intakes as an important cause of dental caries was not understood by many health professionals.


CONCLUSIONS
Continued education for health professionals is needed in order to show the importance of the frequency of sugar intakes and to dispel some prevalent dental health misconceptions.
Bentley
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E
Department of Dental Medicine and Surgery, University Dental Hospital of Manchester, UK.
Mackie
I
I
Fuller
S S
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D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000737:chemistry; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000737:chemistry; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002326:Cariogenic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004739:England; D006267:Health Education, Dental / Q000379:methods; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000737:chemistry; D010174:Pamphlets; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000523:psychology; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013395:Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D002326:Cariogenic Agents; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D013549:Sweetening Agents; D000082:Acetaminophen; D013395:Sucrose