Evaluation of Parents' Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Self-Medication in the Dental Problems of Their Child During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Self-medication means taking medicine without consultation with any doctor or dentist and an important health issue, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aims to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of parents regarding self-medication in dental problems of their children during to COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Turkey. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in the pediatric dental clinic immediately after the COVID-19 lockdown ended. A total of 389 parents who agreed to participate in the study completed the questionnaire for three months. A structured questionnaire with 18 items was designed to collect information on the parents’ knowledge and attitudes regarding when, why, and how to use drugs and on their practices medicating children. Results: The majority of parents (n = 273; 70.2%) were practiced self-medication to their children's dental problems. Self-medication with a previous medication was usually preferred to their children by parents (n = 179; 62.2%). It was observed the analgesics practiced by parents (98%) were the most commonly used self-medication for their children's dental problems.Conclusion: New healthcare systems like tele-dentistry may be useful to overcome self-medication problems directed to children in unusual times that limit to reach healthcare providers such as pandemics.