title: Knowledge, attitude and practice of pediatricians and pharmacists in Riyadh City toward the use of sugar free medications.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was intended to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of pediatricians and pharmacists about sugar free medications (SFMs) and their impact on oral health.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-administered close ended questionnaire was handed out to all pediatricians and pharmacists in five tertiary hospitals in Riyadh (King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud Medical City, King Fahad Medical City, Prince Sultan Medical Military City, Security Forces Hospital) to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice concerning SFMs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-five pediatricians and 77 pharmacists participated in this study. The results showed that pediatricians and pharmacists have a good knowledge, but negative attitude toward SFMs. Only (5.9%) of pediatricians had formal undergraduate training which is significantly lower than pharmacists (15.6%) (p = 0.04). One-third of pediatricans and pharmacists prescribe or dispense SFMs. The most influencing factors toward prescription (pediatrician) of SFMs was the medical status of the patient (70.6%), while the most influencing factor of dispensing (pharmacists) SFMs was the availability in the pharmacy (64.9%). Two-third of pediatricians (67%) guide the parents about the risk associated with sugar-containing medications (SCMs) which is significantly higher than pharmacists (p < 0.0001). Also, 53% of pediatricians recommend oral hygiene instructions when prescribing SCMs which is also significantly higher than pharmacists (p = 0.0 02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a considerable knowledge about SFMs and its impact on dental caries, among pediatricians and pharmacists participated in this study. However, their attitude toward prescribing or dispensing SFMs was not positive and may be linked to the gap in knowledge. Further training and education of healthcare providers regarding the use of SFMs and its negative impact on dental caries has to be reiterated.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, PO Box 60169, Riyadh 11545 Saudi Arabia, e-mail: obawazir@ksu.edu.sa.
authors.forename: Omar A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Bawazir
authors.affiliation: Dentist, Hafer Al-Batin Dental Center, Ministry of Health, Hafer Al-Batin Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Bandar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Alsuwayt
authors.affiliation: Intern, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Waleed
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Alqahtani
authors.affiliation: Dentist, Hafer Al-Batin Dental Center, Ministry of Health, Hafer Al-Batin Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Dhafiri
authors.affiliation: Consultant, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, King Saud Medical City Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Mosleh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al-Shamrani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology; D004339:Drug Compounding; D004501:Education, Medical; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D004512:Education, Pharmacy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000193:education; D010372:Pediatrics; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000523:psychology*; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000737:chemistry / Q000191:economics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D057566:Self Report; D013395:Sucrose / Q000737:chemistry*; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D055553:Prescription Drugs; D013549:Sweetening Agents; D013395:Sucrose
keywords: Al-Dhafri A; Al-Shamrani M. Knowledge; Alqahtani W; Alsuwayt B; Attitude and Practic e of Pediatricians and Pharmacists in Riyadh City toward the use of Sugar free Medications. J Contemp Dent Pract 2014; 15(6):755-760. Source of support: Nil Conflict of interest: None.; Child; Dental caries; Pediatrician; Pharmacist; Sugar free medication. How to cite this article: Bawa zir OA