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INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: The practice of self-medication is common but not without risks. Community pharmacists have an important role in dispensing over the counter drugs without medical prescription and hence conducting a pharmaceutical intervention (PI). It is estimated that the prevalence of self-medication in dentistry is around 58%. The aim of this study was to characterise, self-medication related PIs over a given period, particulalry appertaining to dental pain linked to an infectious or inflammatory process. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive study in 201 pharmacies in Auvergne (France) between 2017 and 2024. Data were collected using the validated GIPAMED notification grid. RESULTS: The molecule that generated the most IP is ibuprofen (66.8%, n=169). The main reasons for PI were contraindication with the physio-pathological state (36%, n=90) and need for a consultation because the complaint cannot be dealt with at the pharmacy (32%, n=81). Following PI, the provider pharmacist offered an alternative in 45% of cases (n=192) or a secondary consultation with the dentist (43%; n=182). This solution was accepted by 91% (n=230) of the drug recipients. CONCLUSION: The management of dental pain by PI highlights the pharmacist's role in public health. By spotting contraindications, the need for additional consultations, or incorrect medications, pharmacists ensured safe medication delivery and acted as a bridge between the patient and the dentist. This intervention was particularly noticeable in the cases NSAIDs prescriptions for dental pain,given without antibiotic therapy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Examining PIs associated with self-medication for dental pain enabled us to identify the most frequent disease conditions that were brought to the attention of pharmacists and, where appropriate, to propose measures to public health authorities to improve care pathways.
Bedhomme et al. (Thu,) studied this question.