Assess the knowledge of dentists in Tabriz about Bisphosphonate- related osteonecrosis of jaws (BRONJ) in 2013-2014

Abstract

Bisphosphonates which are commonly used in the management of skeletal complications such as metastatic bone disease, hypercalcemia of malignancy and osteoporosis, may have one the worst complications called BON (Bisphosphonate- associated osteonecrosis). The objective was to determine the knowledge of Tabriz dentists of bisphosphates related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ). Methods: In this descriptive- cross sectional study, after determining the sample size of 270 from dentists working in 1392 a structured questionnaire was elaborated on knowledge of BRONJ. To assess the validity of the questionnaire was given to ten faculty members and university researchers.After the questionnaire was ansewred by ten dentists, Cronbach's alpha was used to determine reliability. Data were analyzed using statistical software spss18 methods, descriptive and inferential statistics. To evaluate the relationship between independent variables (demographic) and dependent variables was used ANOVA and Pearson correlation test. Results:Our results showed that the average knowledge scores of dentist participating in this study about BRONJ was 8.47 2.52.Significant relation was not seen between knowledge and age,university of graduation and duration of clinical working.Women and recent graduants were found to have statistically significant more knowledge. Conclusion: Although the finding reveals that Tabrize dentists have good knowledge about BRONJ, educational efforts should be made to promote their knowledge