Assessment Results of Dental Students’ Knowledge about Bisphosphonates and Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

Objectives: The aim of this cross-sectional study is to evaluate Lithuanian fourth- and fifth-year dental students’ knowledge about bisphosphonates and bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

Material and Methods: The anonymous survey using a questionnaire was conducted from February to March 2022. The survey was sent to 173 students at Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) and 107 of them were completed. It consisted of student data, questions about the main properties of bisphosphonates, bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ), and the necessity of additional studies for students. Chi-square test and Cramér’s V coefficient were used for the analysis of variables.

Results: Most of the fifth-year students knew the main properties of bisphosphonates and what diseases they are used to treat. Twenty fifth-year students (33.9%) knew the accurate definition of BRONJ, while only 11 fourth-year students (22.9%) chose the same correct answer. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) data were found about the knowledge of main properties of bisphosphonates. The vast majority of fourth- and fifth-year students (39 [81.3%] and 45 [76.3%]), agreed that the University should provide more information about bisphosphonates.

Conclusions: The study revealed that fifth-year students demonstrated better knowledge about bisphosphonates compared to fourth-year students and this was due to a curriculum supplemented with information about this pathology. The overall findings of this research suggest that Universities need to expand their student curricula by providing more knowledge about bisphosphonates and its relation to bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

J Oral Maxillofac Res 2023;14(4):e3

doi: 10.5037/jomr.2023.14403

Accepted for publication: 27 December 2023

Keywords: bisphosphonates; dental education; dental students; knowledge; osteonecrosis; teaching.