BACKGROUND: A long-standing concern among dental health professionals has been about the harmful effects of sugered medicines on teeth, especially in children who regularly take such medications. AIM: To investigate parental attitudes, perceptions, and motivations to sugar-free medicines so that an effective promotional campaign could be mounted. METHOD: A qualitative, focus group approach was used to gather data. RESULTS: These show the dominant influence of the doctor over the patient/parent, and the bearing this has on the prescribing of sugar-free medicines. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the scope for sugar-free medicine promotion for prescribed and over-the-counter products, and the polarizing of attitudes to the use of sugar-free medicines based on social class.
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