Dental Students’ Perception of Dentine Hypersensitivity and Awareness about its Management

Journal Title: Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research - Year 2019, Vol 13, Issue 8

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: Dentine hypersensitivity is a common painful oral condition that can interfere with drinking, eating, tooth brushing and even breathing. Successful management depends on the identification and elimination of aetiological factors, careful clinical examination and differential diagnosis. Aim: The purpose of the study was to report dental students’ understanding of dentine hypersensitivity and knowledge of its aetiology and management. Materials and Methods: A total of 218 questionnaires were distributed among dental students who routinely provided treatment to patients at College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire consisted of pre-coded and open-ended questions related to the knowledge of students about dentine hypersensitivity. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise data. Pearson’s chi-square test (Fisher-Exact test as appropriate) was performed to assess differences in male and female students’ response at significance level of p<0.05. Results: The response rate was 75.7% as 165 of 218 students returned the questionnaires. According to participants (66%; n=109), one in four of their patients suffered from dentine hypersensitivity complaint. Nearly 57% (n=92) reported that sensitivity was a severe problem in 25% of their patients with discomfort lasting up to 5 weeks. Majority agreed that patients asked questions about dentine hypersensitivity. About 66.6% (n=110) did not know regarding the steps to diagnose dentine hypersensitivity. Treatment options included at-home (18%; n=30) and in-office desensitising agents (8.5%; n=14), education on appropriate tooth brushing techniques and restorative treatment (16.4%; n=27). Almost 47.3% (n=78) believed that patients complied with professional advice on dentine hypersensitivity. About 55.8% (n=92) highlighted the need to provide patients with an educational leaflet. Conclusion: Students lacked the knowledge and confidence to manage dentine hypersensitivity in clinics. A comprehensive informational handout should be developed to guide diagnosis, prevention and treatment for both students and patients.

Authors and Affiliations

Abdul Majeed, Emad Alshwaimi, Muhammad Ashraf Nazir, Khalid Almas

Keywords

Related Articles

Pure Villous Adenoma of the Vesicoureteric Junction Presenting as Pyonephrosis

Villous adenomas of the urinary tract are uncommon neoplasms which share similar morphological features with gastrointestinal villous adenomas. Only two case series and around 20 scattered case reports of villous adenoma...

Clinical and Metabolic Profile of Glutaric Aciduria Type 1 from North India: Tertiary Centre Experience

Introduction: Glutaric aciduria type 1 is caused by deficiency of glutaryl-CoA dehydogenase leading to accumulation of glutarylcarnitine in blood and excretion of glutaric acid, 3-hyroxyglutaric acid and glutaconic acid...

The Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Biochemical Parameters in Healthy Thai Subjects

Introduction: Although, the effect of Ramadan fasting on the risks for Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) has been reported in several studies, the results were inconsistent. In addition, the effect of Ramadan fasting on bioch...

Spectrum of MRI Appearance of Mayer-Rokitansky-KusterHauser (MRKH) Syndrome in Primary Amenorrhea Patients

Introduction: Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is a malformation in female genital tract due to interrupted embryonic development of para-mesonephric ducts leading to uterine and proximal vagina aplasia or...

Oral Impact on Daily Performance among School Teachers in Kanpur, India: A Cross-sectional Study

ABSTRACT Introduction: Teachers are considered as a dynamic force of the school. Their educational experience and contact with students can actively contribute to student’s health promotion provided their physical, psych...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP638996
  • DOI 10.7860/JCDR/2019/39928.13080
  • Views 129
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Abdul Majeed, Emad Alshwaimi, Muhammad Ashraf Nazir, Khalid Almas (2019). Dental Students’ Perception of Dentine Hypersensitivity and Awareness about its Management. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 13(8), 15-19. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-638996