Physician-dentist dual referral model concept for coordinated bone anabolic therapy.

Background: Bone anabolic drugs used for the pharmacologic treatment of osteoporosis have the potential to enhance alveolar bone regeneration to improve implant success. There are no US Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs indicated to improve oral bone density around teeth or implants.

Methods: The authors summarized expert opinions on a novel coordinated treatment approach leveraging the effects of systemic bone anabolic drugs to enhance dental implant therapy in patients with osteoporosis and a dual referral model for physicians and dentists to address the clinical needs of patients with osteoporosis from a comprehensive perspective of oral-systemic health. Interviews of key opinion leaders were conducted with a bone health specialist group consisting of specialists in orthopedic surgery, internal medicine, geriatrics, endocrinology, and clinical densitometry and a surgical dental specialist group consisting of periodontists and oral surgeons.

Results: Overall, both groups shared positive feedback on the idea of strategically timing administration of anabolic osteoporosis drugs with dental treatment. Both groups expressed interest in the dual referral model.

Conclusions: The feedback of key opinion leaders supported the coordinated bone anabolic therapy concept and identified a need for improved interdisciplinary collaboration, education, and communication to realize the synergies of physician-dentist clinical cooperation.

Practical implications: Strategic timing of osteoporosis therapy could improve skeletal bone health and reduce fracture risk while offering adjunctive dental benefits.