The objective of this study was to investigate the knowledge and capabilities of dentists and dental students in their last year of study in regard to risk factors of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) in Spain.

We conducted a cross-sectional study consisting of a questionnaire survey in Asturias, Spain. The study was divided into three groups: dentists who worked for the public dental health care system (n=32), dentists who worked exclusively as private health care practitioners (n=136), and dental students in their last year (year five) of study (n=38). The quantitative differences in the scores obtained in the resolution of clinical cases between students and dentists were evaluated. Differences between dentists were evaluated depending on number of years in practice, activity (private or public care), and area of specialty. The study tracked the possible differences in the general knowledge of MRONJ among dentists and students and the participants’ adherence to the dental clinic guidelines regarding the MRONJ.

Students from year five reached a higher score than those dentists with private practice activity (P=0.01). Significant differences between the students and the public health care dentists were not recognized, nor between the latter and the private health care dentists. The lowest percentage of correct answers among participants was related to implant surgery in patients treated with oral aminobisphosphonates. The dentists with more than 20 years of professional experience obtained significantly lower-than-average scores in the resolution of the clinical cases based on clinical guidelines (P=0.01). We did not observe any differences in the average test scores obtained by dentists dependent on their area of expertise.

Knowledge of side effects of antiresorptive drugs decreases with years of professional practice. Training efforts on MRONJ should focus especially on those dentists who practice privately, who have over 20 years of professional experience, and who perform implant surgery on patients at risk of MRONJ.