Role of pharmacists in consulting with the underserved regarding toothache pain.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the pharmacist's role in managing toothache pain from the patient's perspective.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Maryland during April and May 2006.


METHODS
5,556 low-income white, black, and Hispanic households were screened to identify 398 households with at least one adult who had experienced a toothache during the previous 12 months.


METHODS
Telephone screening followed by telephone interview concerning treatment sought for most recent toothache.


METHODS
Whether a pharmacist was consulted for toothache pain.


RESULTS
Interviews were completed for 68.3% of eligible households. One of five respondents consulted a pharmacist regarding toothache pain. No differences were noted among demographic groups other than differences related to age. No association was observed between respondents asking for advice from pharmacists and the number of toothaches they experienced during the previous 10 years or the pain level of their most recent toothache; however, an association was seen between the duration of the most recent toothache and the degree to which the toothache interfered with daily activities. Approximately 90% of respondents adhered to pharmacist advice, while 55.7% reported that the advice helped "a lot."


CONCLUSIONS
Pharmacists have an important role to play in alleviating toothache pain, especially among lower-income individuals without ready access to traditional dental services.
Cohen
Leonard A
LA
Department of Health Promotion and Policy, University of Maryland Dental School, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. lacohen@umaryland.edu
Bonito
Arthur J
AJ
Akin
Donald R
DR
Manski
Richard J
RJ
Macek
Mark D
MD
Edwards
Robert R
RR
Cornelius
Llewellyn J
LJ
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011203:Poverty; D024382:Professional Role; D014098:Toothache / Q000628:therapy*; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult