Objectives: 'Over The Counter' (OTC) is a pharmaceutical product or medicine whose distribution or the administration does not require medical authorisation, and which can be used by consumers on their own initiative. This can be to prevent, relieve or treat symptoms or moderate pathologies and whose use, under the forms, packaging and authorised formulation are safe for the consumer. A Delphi consultation in the perspective of coming to a consensus was initiated to identify the current and future orientations on the best strategies of administration of OTC products for oral health in Europe.
Methods: A Delphi Survey was conducted with 54 experts from 23 countries in Europe. Each indicator statement was considered to be in consensus if the expert's opinion rating was of 4 or 5 for more than 75% in a scale of seven categories. The first questionnaire concerned self medication and the situation of OTC prescriptions in 2006. The second included 19 statements focused on the possible role of OTC products in dental practice. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses were created.
Results: There was a strong consensus that the population's common practices towards OTCs should be modified. Practitioners should possess communication qualities allowing them to share their power and to advise patients of their decision-making concerning oral care.
Conclusions: The Delphi Survey was successful in underlining that dentists have to be involved in oral health OTC prescription which, currently, seems unsatisfactory. OTC products and especially fluoride toothpaste improve oral health but have to be available, accessible and used advisedly.