Evaluation of knowledge and awareness regarding rational drug use among dental students

Mustafa İşleyen; Alperen Can Temel

Evaluation of knowledge and awareness regarding rational drug use among dental students

Abstract

Aims: Rational drug use (RDU) is critical for patient safety and treatment success. The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge and awareness levels regarding RDU among dental students, who are future prescribers, and to identify sociodemographic and educational factors associated with their RDU knowledge. Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study included 362 students from Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Faculty of Dentistry. Data were collected via an online questionnaire using a sociodemographic form and the 21-item Rational Drug Use Scale (RDUS). Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for statistical analysis, and multiple linear regression was performed to identify factors independently associated with RDUS scores. Results: The mean RDUS score for participants was 39.07±3.66, indicating a high general level of knowledge. Analyses revealed a statistically significant relationship between high RDUS scores and female gender, being aged 21 years and over, and the presence of a chronic disease (p<.05). Clinical students and those who had completed the pharmacology course exhibited significantly higher RDUS scores compared to preclinical students (p<.001), a pattern consistent with greater academic and clinical exposure. Notably, only 56.4% correctly identified that herbal products are not substitutes for medicines, highlighting a prevalent knowledge gap. Conclusion: Although dental students demonstrate a generally high level of RDU awareness, a specific misconception regarding herbal products as substitutes for medicines was identified. Undergraduate curricula may benefit from clearer instruction on herbal products, herb-drug interactions, and evidence-based counseling to support patient safety.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None.

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (approval no. 06-2025/1705).

Thanks

None.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dental Therapeutics, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dental Public Health, Dentistry (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Mustafa İşleyen ^*
0000-0003-3326-0047
Türkiye

Alperen Can Temel
0009-0004-1519-2436
Türkiye

Publication Date

August 15, 2026

Submission Date

April 9, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 3, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 7 Number: 4

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA74PD25JN

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

İşleyen, M., & Temel, A. C. (2026). Evaluation of knowledge and awareness regarding rational drug use among dental students. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, 7(4), 695-703. https://izlik.org/JA74PD25JN

AMA

1.İşleyen M, Temel AC. Evaluation of knowledge and awareness regarding rational drug use among dental students. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7(4):695-703. https://izlik.org/JA74PD25JN

Chicago

İşleyen, Mustafa, and Alperen Can Temel. 2026. “Evaluation of Knowledge and Awareness Regarding Rational Drug Use Among Dental Students”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 (4): 695-703. https://izlik.org/JA74PD25JN.

EndNote

İşleyen M, Temel AC (August 1, 2026) Evaluation of knowledge and awareness regarding rational drug use among dental students. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 4 695–703.

IEEE

[1]M. İşleyen and A. C. Temel, “Evaluation of knowledge and awareness regarding rational drug use among dental students”, J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 695–703, Aug. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA74PD25JN

ISNAD

İşleyen, Mustafa - Temel, Alperen Can. “Evaluation of Knowledge and Awareness Regarding Rational Drug Use Among Dental Students”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7/4 (August 1, 2026): 695-703. https://izlik.org/JA74PD25JN.

JAMA

1.İşleyen M, Temel AC. Evaluation of knowledge and awareness regarding rational drug use among dental students. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7:695–703.

MLA

İşleyen, Mustafa, and Alperen Can Temel. “Evaluation of Knowledge and Awareness Regarding Rational Drug Use Among Dental Students”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, vol. 7, no. 4, Aug. 2026, pp. 695-03, https://izlik.org/JA74PD25JN.

Vancouver

1.Mustafa İşleyen, Alperen Can Temel. Evaluation of knowledge and awareness regarding rational drug use among dental students. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac [Internet]. 2026 Aug. 1;7(4):695-703. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA74PD25JN