Self-medication practice among dental students: associated factors and risks

Introduction: Self-medication, defined as the use of medications without medical prescription, is a widespread practice in the general population and particularly among students of health-related careers, such as Dentistry. This phenomenon is associated with factors such as the perceived mildness of symptoms, recommendations from family or friends, and easy access to medications. The study analyzed the prevalence, the most commonly used drugs and the consequences of this practice among students of the Universidad Abierta Interamericana (UAI). Development: It was identified that the drugs most commonly used in self-medication were nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics (NSAIDs) and antibiotics. NSAIDs, used for the management of pain and inflammation, presented associated risks, such as renal and gastrointestinal damage. Antibiotics, on the other hand, were the most worrying due to the development of microbial resistance, a growing problem that affects the effectiveness of medical treatments. In addition, self-medication was linked to the lack of medical supervision, the influence of advertising, and insufficient knowledge of the risks associated with the irrational use of drugs. Conclusions: Self-medication turned out to be a prevalent and worrying practice among dental students of the UAI, generating risks at the individual and collective level. It was concluded that it is necessary to implement educational and regulatory interventions that promote the rational use of drugs and raise awareness of their possible consequences. The strengthening of vigilance in the distribution and prescription of drugs was highlighted as a fundamental strategy to mitigate the adverse effects of this behavior