Self-medication is a common practice in many developing countries, but little is known about its determining factors. These factors influencing adherence to self-medication familiarity with medications, previous positive experiences and difficult access to health services such as dental care. The objective of this research was to evaluate the prevalence and variables associated with the practice of self-medication in patients who are in dental care. Eighteen one patients were interviewed at the Faculty of Dentistry in Paulista University and asked about the use of selfmedication in the last 30 days, being 78% self-medicated and 27.3% used analgesics. Females had 74% more chance to practices self-medication than men (0,08-0,81 IC95%), independent of age and education level, and this is probably due to greater exposure to medication in all stages of life. In addition, indiscriminate use of medications may lead to undesirable adverse effects, as well as drug interactions. It is essential campaigns against the use of medications directed to health professionals as well as the general population.
