Introduction: The appearance of new therapeutic options for oncologycal, and rheumatological patients has led to a significant improvemen in their quality of life. These patients are on long-term therapy with drugs that show unwanted effects, along with the prevention of worsening of the underlying disease, a new pathological problem in the jaws appears, the so-called bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis of the jaw bones (BRONJ). The aim of this epidemiological study was to determine the percentage of dentists in North Macedonia who are aware of the occurrence, problems and complications that accompany patients BRONJ as well as the ability to recognize it. Material and methods: The research was conducted in the Republic of North Macedonia, in a total of 100 dental practices. The survey included 10 questions about the information and the way doctors were informed, as well as the ability to recognize osteonecrosis of the jaws and treatment of osteonecrosis of the jaws caused by bisphosphonates. Results: Out of a total of 100 distributed surveys, 35 dentists returned completed questionnaires, i.e., 35% of dentists wanted to participate in the survey. Of the total of 35 processed questionnaires, 68.5% have not heard of the occurrence of bisphosphonate osteonecrosis of the jaws. Of the 31.5% who had knowledge of this pathological phenomenon, 60% learned from colleagues, 25% during continuing medical education, 15% from the literature. 88.5% do not know whether and which drugs can lead to BRONJ, while 68.5% do not ask anamnestic questions about the conditions in which these drugs are used. troughs. Eighty percent of dentists do not know any preventive or therapeutic measures for BRONJ. Conclusion: A small percentage of dentists in North Macedonia have knowledge about BRONJ. Awareness of occurrence, prevention and treatment should be increased, through programs of continuous medical education, as well as through other ways of obtaining professional knowledge.
Denkovski et al. (Mon,) studied this question.