Does Your Medical History Form Ask Patients About Bisphosphonates?

Bisphosphonates are a group of drugs that inhibit bone resorption. They are used to treat a range of pathologies including Paget’s disease, osteoporosis, multiple myeloma, and metastasis associated with breast or prostate cancer. The most common complication in patients on bisphosphonate therapy is osteonecrosis of the jaw, which can occur after any surgical dental procedure.

At present, there is no effective treatment for bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis, so prevention is extremely important. Maximum precautions should be taken in patients who are at the risk of developing of osteonecrosis, especially with dental surgical procedures like extractions, retrograde apicoectomies, periodontal surgery, or implant placements. Dentists should keep up to date with the latest approaches or guidelines to prevention and the risk factors, particularly when treating patients who are on bisphosphonates, or who will be taking bisphosphonates.

It’s important to include a question regarding bisphosphonates in your medical history form and to include this information in your treatment planning.

EDIC has developed a new Informed Consent for Treatment of Patients on Bisphosphonate Drugs. All EDIC members have direct access to the form from their online portal.