Awareness of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaws Among Dental Hygienists in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a severe condition linked to the use of bone-preserving and anti-angiogenic medications, including bisphosphonates, denosumab, and bevacizumab. Despite the critical role of dental hygienists in MRONJ prevention and early detection, their knowledge and awareness of the condition in Saudi Arabia had not been previously studied. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of MRONJ among dental hygienists in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2023 to August 2024 using a validated electronic survey distributed to licensed dental hygienists in Saudi Arabia. The 13-item survey assessed participants' knowledge of MRONJ, including its risk factors, clinical presentation, and management guidelines. The Mann-Whitney test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to compare knowledge scores across educational levels, years of experience, and work sectors.

RESULTS

Of the 181 participating dental hygienists, only 45.3% were familiar with MRONJ. Only 2.2% correctly identified all diseases treated with bisphosphonates, whereas 7.2% accurately identified all drugs responsible for MRONJ risk. Furthermore, only 19.9% were familiar with MRONJ management guidelines. Knowledge scores showed no significant differences across educational levels (p = 0.96), years of experience (p = 0.17), or work sectors (p = 0.21). More than two-thirds expressed interest in further learning about MRONJ.

CONCLUSION

Substantial knowledge gaps regarding MRONJ exist among dental hygienists in Saudi Arabia, irrespective of educational background or professional experience. These findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced educational programs and professional development opportunities to improve MRONJ awareness and management capabilities among dental hygienists.