From Prescription to Prevention: Patient Awareness, Risk Perceptions, and Predictors of Knowledge of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

Background/Objectives: Proactively informing the patient prior to initiating medication and implementing preventive strategies are essential for mitigating the risk of developing medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). This study evaluated the awareness of MRONJ among a group of dental faculty patients who were scheduled to use, were using, or had previously utilized bisphosphonate and/or denosumab. Methods: A structured questionnaire-based survey was used as the survey tool to evaluate the patients’ awareness of MRONJ. A non-probability convenience sampling method was employed throughout a one-year period. Results: Throughout the study period, 202 participants were included, with a response rate of 97.58%. Only 35 (17.3%) of the patients had awareness of the risk of MRONJ, and 23 (11.4%) reported that their prescribing physicians had informed them about the potential side effects of their medication before the commencement of treatment. Univariate logistic regression, which was performed to elucidate the elements affecting awareness, revealed a significant odds ratio for healthcare professionals as a source of knowledge (29.229, p < 0.001), information of side effects given by a prescribing physician (25.343, p < 0.001), dental consultation (2.592, p = 0.018), and regular dental visits (3.205, p = 0.004). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, “Healthcare professional as source of knowledge” was significantly associated with awareness (OR = 21.956, p < 0.001). “Information of side effects given by a prescribing physician” was also a significant predictor (OR = 11.450, p < 0.001), indicating that participants informed by prescribing physicians about the side effects were more likely to have awareness. Conclusions: This study revealed that despite patients’ limited awareness of MRONJ, the dissemination of information by healthcare professionals positively influenced their awareness and understanding of the risk factors associated with MRONJ. In particular, receiving information from healthcare professionals and prescribing physician-provided information about side effects appeared to be the strongest predictors of awareness.