The role of the community pharmacist as an oral health adviser--an exploratory study of community pharmacists in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The aim of this study was to examine to what extent community pharmacists are currently acting as dental advisers, and to determine whether they would be willing to extend this role in the future. The data were collected by means of a random survey of community pharmacists in Johannesburg, and included: incidence and nature of dental enquiries; dental knowledge with respect to preventive measures; willingness to engage in promotion of oral health and prevention of oral disease. The results reveal an anomaly. On one hand community pharmacists seemed to be handling a substantial amount and range of inquiries related to oral health and dental disease, and were willing to fulfil a meaningful role as oral health advisers. On the other hand, however, they have received very little education on these matters and seemed to operate in isolation from dentists and other health professionals, which raises doubts about their ability to play a meaningful role in primary health care. Nevertheless, it is quite feasible for community pharmacists to play the role as envisaged, provided additional training and networking with dentists, oral hygienists, dental therapists and other relevant health professionals takes place.