Effectiveness of Online Information Sources on Medication Knowledge, Health-Behavior and Health Management Practices Associated with Osteonecrosis of the Jaw among Dental Professionals

Background: Medication-related osteonecrosis of jaw (MRONJ) is referred to as a complication which impacts patients' both mental and physical health conditions and requires antiangiogenic or antiresorptive therapy, particularly when they feel traumatic toothache, neuralgia in maxillofacial area and sleep disorders. Besides effective treatment, such patients also need a complete knowledge of medication and health behavioral management strategies associated with MRONJ. Methodology: This study focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of online information sources on Medication Knowledge, Health behavior as well as Health Management Practices associated with MRONJ among dental professionals. For this purpose, a cross-sectional research design was used with a sample of 240 participants, comprising 160 dental professionals and 80 dental trainees, in Turkey. The data was gathered via an electronic self-administered questionnaire. SPSS software was used for the data analysis and the level of significance was maintained at p < 0.05. At the same time, a chi-square test was performed for comparing categorical variables. Results: The results obtained from this study showed that 160 of the participants utilized online sources in order to obtain Medication Knowledge for antiresorptive medications while 80 of the participants used these sources for obtaining information regarding antiangiogenic medications. However, insignificant differences were obtained in this regard, emphasizing the increased utilized for different online information sources to improve the Medication Knowledge regarding antiangiogenic or antiresorptive therapy in the context of MRONJ among dental professionals.