Self care & oral health

Pharmacists’ involvement in promoting good oral health practices is an integral component of FIP’s self-care priority programme. Pharmacists’ roles in oral health include:

1.Providing advice on oral hygiene

2.Promoting oral health and providing advice on dental products

3.Managing common oral health symptoms and particularly in high-risk populations, such as people living with diabetes and other NCDs.

4.Identifying red-flag symptoms and referring patient to dentist

5.Dispensing and providing advice on the use of prescription and non-prescription medicines for oral health conditions or with oral health effects.

6.Conducting medicines use reviews linked to oral health

7.Managing common conditions such as xerostomia, oral candidiasis, halitosis, tooth sensitivity, gum inflammation or bleeding, mouth ulcers, or cold sores

8.Contributing to optimal antibiotic use in dental practice

9.Oral health campaigns/awareness days

 

In addition, there are clear links between oral health and system health, including several non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, diabetes and other.