Hu J, McMillan S S, El-Den S, O'Reilly C L, Collins J C, Wheeler A J. A scoping review of pharmacy participation in dental and oral health care. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2021; DOI: 10.1111/cdoe.12651. Online ahead of print.

Community pharmacists and pharmacy staff were interested in an expanded role, but this review identified lack of knowledge and suboptimal practice as potential barriers.

This study explored the scope of dental and oral healthcare (DOHC) provided by the pharmacy profession and associated outcomes, and attitudes of pharmacy staff and other key stakeholders towards pharmacy involvement in this context. Seventy studies met the inclusion criteria: 49 were conducted in developed countries; 60 were quantitative in design; and 38 involved community pharmacy settings only. Pharmacists and pharmacy support staff commonly managed DOHC inquiries, including the provision of advice and products with or without a further referral. Integrated pharmacist-led services in dental settings showed improved prescribing and quality use of medicines, but low community pharmacy referrals were identified in studies involving mystery shoppers with potential oral cancer. DOHC promotion programmes delivered by pharmacy staff and collaborations with dentists were limited. There was interest from the pharmacy profession for a role in DOHC; however, knowledge gaps were reported and needs for further training identified.