Medical and Dental Professions’ Varying Levels of Awareness Regarding Medication-related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw in Saudi Arabia? A Cross-sectional Study

Aims: This study aimed to assess the awareness of the risk of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) among general dental practitioners (GDPs) and primary care physicians (PCPs), focusing on the clinical implications and coordination of treating or identifying high-risk patients.Materials and methods: Two Google Forms electronic questionnaires were distributed to 724 GDPs and 617 PCPs in primary care settings.One for PCPs with eight multiple choice questions and the other for GDPs with 10 multiple choice questions.A clinical case scenario and a section on open-ended comments were included in both questionnaires.The data obtained from each group were statistically analyzed and compared.Results: A total of 239 GDPs and 220 PCPs participated in the study, with a response rate of 34.23%.The mean age of participants was 29.5 years and 54.35% were females (51.2% and 57.5% in the GDPs and PCPs group, respectively).Most participants had graduated from Saudi Arabia.Almost all dentists were aware of osteonecrosis of the jaw (95.1%), 68.3% of them were aware of the guidelines regarding bisphosphonaterelated osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) and MRONJ, 60.5% rated their general knowledge about MRONJ as very poor to poor, and 91.8% did not know any guidelines regarding BRONJ or MRONJ.Among the participants, 75.3% did not know how MRONJ was present in the oral cavity.A total of 69.9% of participants were unaware of other factors associated with an increased risk of MRONJ.Conclusion: MRONJ risk awareness varies greatly between dentists who diagnose and manage patients in dental clinics and physicians who write about medicines and therapies.Counseling sessions and greater coordination between dental and medical specialists are strongly suggested while prescribing antiresorptive drugs to prevent the consequent development of MRONJ.Clinical significance: This study shows a significant lack of knowledge regarding MRONJ among GDPs and PCPs, which may affect the prevention and treatment of patients.Therefore, we urge GDPS and PCPs to take more information from scientific sources on this topic and more cooperation from specialties for the benefit of patients.