The aim of the study was to assess and compare the pharmacists’ oral health advice using ‘By Proxy’ method and Questionnaire in Udaipur city, Rajasthan, India. A descriptive cross sectional survey was conducted among the pharmacists of Udaipur city for 3 months. Study population consisted of randomly selected 50 pharmacist outlets of Udaipur city. Pre-trained simulated clients visited the selected pharmacy shops who enquired about different oral problems, and the pharmacists’ responses were recorded. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used regarding the same oral problems for the same pharmacy outlets. For both methods, responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Majority of the pharmacists prescribed analgesics (54%), followed by antibiotics (31%) for tooth related problems to the proxy clients and for the questionnaire survey also, majority opted for analgesics (44%) & antibiotics (32%). It was found very few (6%) recommended the proxy clients to visit dentist and slightly more pharmacists (26%) did the same by questionnaire method. The study results concluded that pharmacists provided irrational and erroneous oral health advice depicting a callous approach in the ‘By Proxy’ method while their responses were biased, comparatively correct through Questionnaire method. They were found to have inadequate knowledge and most did not recommend to visit dentist. Hence, Pharmacists’ proper education regarding medicines should be considered as a serious measure to reduce harms to the patients.
