Knowledge and Awareness of the Side Effects and Drug Interactions of Antibiotics and Analgesics Among the Dental Students in Iraq

Abstract Background and Aim: Students in dentistry colleges in Iraq can prescribe some medications during the fourth and fifth year of their undergraduate study of dentistry under the supervision of their seniors in the dental clinics. Many researches in many countries all over the world has identified the gaps in pharmacotherapeutic knowledge among the dental students but no such researches were made in Iraq. This study aimed to measure the knowledge also awareness of the side effects and drug interactions of the drugs that are mostly prescribed in the dental clinics by the Iraqi dental student. Methods: A cross-sectional study was directed among 890 undergraduate Iraqi dental students using a structured closed-ended online questionnaire regarding their perception, attitude, knowledge and awareness toward drug prescription. The online survey was done during March to April 2022. Results: The online questionnaires were completed by 890 Iraqi dental students. This study revealed that dental students have made many mistakes during drug prescription due to lack in their pharmacological information especially regarding analgesics and antibiotic prescription. Over and irrational prescription of antibiotics was also found.