An Innovative Dental Pharmacy Practice

A dental pharmacy was established in 1973 by the College of Pharmacy and the College of Dentistry at the University of Iowa. Staffed by a pharmacist, the Dental Pharmacy provides traditional and clinical pharmacy services to dental patients and practitioners. Treatment protocols for SBE antibiotic prophylaxis, oral candidiasis, and aphthous and Sutton's lesions have been jointly developed, utilizing the pharmacist in chronic dental disease management. Product selection and dosage regimen determination of fluoride preparations, patient counseling, and drug information are among the pharmacy services offered. The Dental Pharmacy is a unique interprofessional approach to improving patient care and student education. It has successfully demonstrated that the professions of pharmacy and dentistry can contribute to the achievement of each other's goals.