An investigation of pharmacy students’ perceptions of their oral health knowledge and education: A preliminary study

Purpose To investigate the California pharmacy students’ perception of their oral health education and knowledge. Methods In Spring 2015, we e-mailed experiential directors from all the eight accredited pharmacy schools in California requesting them to forward the survey cover letter, including a link to a 16-item online survey, to all their senior students. The e-mail also explained the purpose of the study. The survey measured students’ opinions on oral health and its interface with general health and students’ demographic characteristics. Results A total of 58 responses were received from students from five schools. Many (n = 25; 44%) students reported that oral health was not taught in any course of their pharmacy curriculum. Most (n = 43; 75.4%) students believed there was limited collaboration between primary care providers in managing patients’ oral and overall health concerns. Most students (n = 51; 89.5%) indicated that “limited time is devoted to oral health topics in pharmacy education” and that they needed more education on oral health (n = 41, 73.2%). Conclusions Many students have limited knowledge and education on oral health and indicated that they needed more education on oral health topics. Further research using larger and more representative samples is needed.