Pharmacy counter assistants and oral health promotion: an exploratory study

Background The involvement of community pharmacists in oral health promotion is being increasingly recognised and studied. However, a large proportion of interactions in community pharmacies take place with pharmacy counter assistants rather than the pharmacist, and the role of pharmacy counter assistants in oral health promotion has received little or no attention until now. Aims To clarify the current state of affairs on pharmacy counter assistants' involvement with oral health promotion. Design and methods A postal-questionnaire-based survey of pharmacy counter assistants across East Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and the Doncaster area. One hundred addresses were included and 35 responses were received. Results Pharmacy counter assistants are infrequently approached by the public for advice on matters of oral health and advice is not often volunteered despite a reasonable knowledge of the subject. Respondents identified a role for themselves in educating patients/customers, which they are keen to expand. Conclusions The expansion of the pharmacy counter assistant's role in oral health promotion would be of value to patients/customers. This should include increased opportunistic education and a more integrated position of pharmacy within a holistic health promotion strategy.