Knowledge of drugs among first year dental students of North India

Pages: 552-555
S SINGHAL (Department of Pharmacology, Manav Rachna Dental College,Faridabad, Haryana)
B TALWAR (Department of Pharmacology, Manav Rachna Dental College,Faridabad, Haryana)
M SINHA (Department of Pharmacology, Manav Rachna Dental College,Faridabad, Haryana)
M WELE (Department of Pharmacology, Manav Rachna Dental College,Faridabad, Haryana)
C R SINGH (Department of Pharmacology, Manav Rachna Dental College,Faridabad, Haryana)
R DOOMRA (Department of Pharmacology, Manav Rachna Dental College,Faridabad, Haryana)

To assess the knowledge of drugs in first year BDS students during the course of their study.Online survey form was used to conduct the survey among 94 first year dental students in a Manav Rachna Dental College, a private dental college in north India. The students’ responses were obtained in an online survey form which consisted of 16 questions which were related to the knowledge of drugs. Out of 94 students who completed the survey, 92.6% and 75.5% know the names of paracetamol and aspirin respectively.Antibiotics do not cure viral infections was reported by 59.6% of the students, whereas 85.1% reported that antibiotics treat bacterial infections and should be given in recommended dosage. 26.6% of the students report that antibiotics can be prescribed for pain, however 96.8% are aware that penicillin was the first antibiotic. 54.3% would consult a doctor in case of fever, but 38.3% would opt for self-medication. 71.3% of the students report that drugs are used for both prevention and cure of diseases. The results of the study lead to importantfacts which can be incorporated by the faculty involved in teaching Pharmacology.