An investigation of pharmacy students’ perceptions of their oral health knowledge and education: A preliminary study

Pharmacists are highly accessible healthcare providers who have the potential to improve oral health inequities through oral health education and promotion. International studies suggest there is limited oral health training in pharmacy curricula. However, this has not been investigated in New Zealand. This study evaluated final-year pharmacy students’ oral health knowledge, readiness to manage oral health issues, perceptions of curriculum coverage, and attitudes toward integrating oral health into pharmacy practice. An online survey was distributed to final-year students at the University of XXX and the University of YYY. The questionnaire included demographic items, Likert-scale measures of perceived knowledge and preparedness, multiple-choice items assessing objective knowledge, and open-ended questions on curricular experiences. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively and with chi-square tests; qualitative data were thematically analysed. Seventy-one students responded (44.1%). Most reported limited time was dedicated to oral health topics (81.7%), with almost 40% rating their education as poor. While 87.3% recognised medication-related oral side effects, fewer felt prepared to counsel patients (60.5%) or discuss how systemic diseases and medications impact oral health (29.6%). Students strongly supported a role for pharmacists in oral health and expressed preferences for practical, case-based, and interprofessional teaching. New Zealand pharmacy students demonstrated knowledge gaps, particularly regarding oral-systemic connections, highlighting inadequate oral health training. Despite this, many students expressed positive attitudes towards further oral health training. Integrating oral health content within pharmacy programmes would strengthen graduates’ preparedness and support pharmacists' role in oral health education and promotion.