PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Stephens, Kristen M.
AU  - Johnson, Tara
AU  - Gurenlian, JoAnn R.
TI  - Polypharmacy and Off-label Drug Use in Dentistry: knowledge, attitudes and practices of California dental hygienists
DP  - 2018 Jun 01
TA  - American Dental Hygienists' Association
PG  - 31--39
VI  - 92
IP  - 3
4099  - http://jdh.adha.org/content/92/3/31.short
4100  - http://jdh.adha.org/content/92/3/31.full
SO  - J Dent Hyg2018 Jun 01; 92
AB  - Purpose: This study examined the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of dental hygienists, licensed in the state of California, regarding polypharmacy and off-label drug use for purposes in dentistry.Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to off-label drug use and polypharmacy via an online survey tool. The study sample included licensed dental hygienists, who were members of the Long Beach and Tri-County Dental Hygienists' Associations located in Southern California (n=360). Descriptive statistics were used to assess the participant characteristics. ANOVA was used to assess differences in knowledge, attitudes and practices when compared to three key variables: highest academic/professional degree, experience and license type.Results: One hundred seven electronic surveys (n=107) were returned for a 34% response rate. Over half of respondents (53%) held an associates' degree for their license, most (72%) worked in a general dentistry setting and 46% had practiced 15 years or less. Regarding knowledge of polypharmacy and off-label drug use, the results demonstrated very low knowledge, with 25% of the respondents unable to answer any of the knowledge questions correctly. No significant differences in practices related to off-label drugs or polypharmacy were found based on type of licensure, highest degree achieved, or years of experience. However, participants holding a baccalaureate degree or higher were significantly more confident (p=.011) in discussing polypharmacy with patients and colleagues.Conclusion: Participants showed a general low-level of knowledge related to polypharmacy and off-label drug use in dentistry regardless of their level of education, years of experience, or type of dental hygiene licensure; indicating a need for increased pharmacology content in both entry-level dental hygiene programs and continuing education courses.