CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Eur J Dent 2020; 14(01): 144-151
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1701542
Original Article

Knowledge and Opinions of Saudi Dentists Regarding Dental Treatment of Patients Undergoing Bisphosphonates

Sadeq Ali Al-Maweri
1   Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, AlFarabi College for Dentistry and Nursing, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2   Department of Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Sana’a University, Sana’a, Yemen
,
Maha Naif Alshammari
3   AlFarabi College for Dentistry and Nursing, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
,
Abdulaziz Rabah Alharbi
4   College of Dentistry, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia
,
Aisha Abdullah Bahein
3   AlFarabi College for Dentistry and Nursing, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
,
Mohammed Nasser Alhajj
5   Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Thamar University, Dhamar, Yemen
,
6   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, AlFarabi Colleges for Dentistry and Nursing, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
,
Ahmed Wallan Alahmary
6   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, AlFarabi Colleges for Dentistry and Nursing, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
,
Mazen Doumani
7   Department of Restorative Dental Sciences, Alfarabi Colleges for Dentistry and Nursing, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Objectives Bisphosphonates (BPs) are used for treatment of various benign and malignant medical conditions. Medications-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) is a very serious complication of prolonged therapy with BPs. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge among dental professionals in Saudi Arabia regarding MRONJ.

Materials and Methods This was a questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study. A self-administered questionnaire comprising close-ended questions about BPs and MRONJ was sent to a convenience sample of dentists in Saudi Arabia.

Statistical Analysis SPSS software was used for data analysis. Chi-square test was used to compare between the groups. The significance level was set at p < 0.05.

Results A total of 607 dentists participated in this survey. Overall, the respondents showed insufficient level of knowledge regarding BPORNJ, with only 70% of the respondents had heard about BPORNJ, and less than 50% recognized the risk factors and clinical features of the disease. Additionally, while two-thirds of the respondents recognized the importance of taking BPs history, the majority did not know the correct treatment approach. Respondents with higher degrees (specialists) showed far better knowledge than general dentists.

Conclusion The knowledge regarding BPs therapy and its complications among Saudi dentists is unsatisfactory. Hence, interventions are highly required to improve dentists’ knowledge regarding BPs and MRONJ.



Publication History

Article published online:
07 February 2020

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Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Private Ltd.
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