Knowledge, Diagnosis and Management of Dentine Hypersensitivity: a National Survey of Dentists in Nigeria

Overview

Journal Int Dent J

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty Dentistry

Date 2017 May 26

PMID 28542892

Citations 3

Authors

Olabisi Hajarat Oderinu

Mathew Asizide Sede

Adeleke Oke Oginni

Ilemobade Cyril Adegbulugbe

Omolara Gbonjubola Uti

Adeyemi Oluniyi Olusile

Christopher I Udoye

Kofoworola Olaide Savage

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Aim: To assess the knowledge of Nigerian dentists regarding dentine hypersensitivity (DH) and their methods of diagnosis and management.

Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study of dentists practicing in all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria was conducted. The questionnaire focussed on participant's demography, exposure to patients with DH, knowledge-based questions, diagnosis and management of DH. Data analysis using EPI Info statistical software determined frequencies and proportions. Associations between discrete variables were assessed using the chi-square test (P ≤ 0.05).

Results: A total of 1,057 dentists responded; the majority (83.8%) had practiced for up to 15 years, and 92.0% reported that, on average, between one and 10 of their patients each week complained of DH. The majority (92.8%) of dentists described DH as stimulated brief pain from the tooth; 24.2% expressed that DH can be treated by altering the number of dentinal tubules. A diagnosis of DH is made by tapping (20.6%) or scratching (73.4%) the tooth. Although radical treatments, such as extraction (24.7%) and root canal therapy (34.5%), were mentioned by some, the majority identified aetiological and predisposing factors (98.8%) and provided diet (95.1%) and oral hygiene (95%) counselling as part of the management of DH. Evaluation of 36 knowledge-based questions revealed that only 1.8% of the respondents provided at least 25 correct answers. Knowledge was significantly associated with respondent age and number of years in practice (P ≤ 0.05) but was not associated with the number of patients with DH seen per week (P = 0.46).

Conclusion: Dentists practicing in Nigeria exhibited knowledge gaps concerning DH and its diagnosis and management.

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