Al-Kubaisi Khalid Awad, Abdel-Qader Derar H, Al Mazrouei Nadia, Al-Azayzih Ahmad, Beshir Semira Abdi, Elnour Asim Ahmed
Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
University of Petra, Amman, Jordan.
PLoS One. 2025 Jun 3;20(6):e0323193. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0323193. eCollection 2025.
Community pharmacists (CPs) are crucial in promoting public health, including oral health, due to their accessibility and frequent patient interaction. This cross-sectional study examined factors influencing oral health promotion among 350 CPs in the UAE, focusing on training, demographic factors, and resource availability. Bivariate analysis showed that gender, years of experience, and the availability of a consultation area significantly influenced CPs' confidence in providing oral health advice. Male pharmacists exhibited higher confidence in addressing tobacco-related dental issues compared to females. Those with a consultation area were more likely to perceive oral health promotion as part of their role. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that training significantly predicted engagement in oral health promotion. CPs who received formal training were seven times more likely to promote oral health (OR = 7.260, p < 0.001), while self-training had an even more substantial influence (OR = 39.249, p < 0.01). However, pharmacists who lacked sufficient workflow, staffing, and time were 87% less likely to perceive oral health promotion as part of their role (OR = 0.133, p < 0.001). The proximity of a dental clinic did not significantly affect pharmacists' involvement in oral health promotion. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the importance of targeted training and adequate resources in encouraging CPs' participation in oral health promotion. Pharmacists with more experience and access to training are more likely to take on proactive roles in promoting oral health.
社区药剂师由于其可及性以及与患者的频繁互动，在促进包括口腔健康在内的公众健康方面至关重要。这项横断面研究调查了影响阿联酋350名社区药剂师口腔健康促进工作的因素，重点关注培训、人口统计学因素和资源可用性。双变量分析表明，性别、工作年限以及是否设有咨询区显著影响社区药剂师提供口腔健康建议的信心。与女性相比，男性药剂师在处理与烟草相关的牙齿问题方面表现出更高的信心。设有咨询区的药剂师更有可能将口腔健康促进视为其职责的一部分。多变量逻辑回归显示，培训显著预测了参与口腔健康促进工作的情况。接受过正规培训的社区药剂师促进口腔健康的可能性是未接受培训者的七倍（比值比=7.260，p<0.001），而自我培训的影响更大（比值比=39.249，p<0.01）。然而，缺乏足够工作流程、人员配备和时间的药剂师将口腔健康促进视为其职责一部分的可能性要低87%（比值比=0.133，p<0.001）。牙科诊所的距离对药剂师参与口腔健康促进工作没有显著影响。总之，本研究强调了针对性培训和充足资源在鼓励社区药剂师参与口腔健康促进方面的重要性。经验更丰富且有培训机会的药剂师更有可能在促进口腔健康方面发挥积极作用。
