Knowledge of UK Dental Undergraduates and Dentists in Treating Dentine Hypersensitivity

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of the present questionnaire-based study was to evaluate the knowledge and understanding of UK based dental undergraduates and qualified dentists in treating Dentine Hypersensitivity (DH). Methods: 120 questionnaires were handed out to 4th and 5th year dental students and Staff at the Dental Hospital in London UK as part of a collaborative study with the Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The questionnaire consisted of 22 questions, which included both open and closed questions. Results: 91 questionnaires (75.8% response rate) were returned; of the 91 respondents (38M; 52F, 1 missing value) 53 were dentists (61%) and 34 were dental students (39%) (4 missing values). 37.5% of students indicated that 10% of patients suffered from DH whereas 18.9% of dentists indicated that 25% of patients suffered from DH. Both dentists (22.6%) and 27.5% of students indicated that DH lasted >12 weeks. 18.9% of dentists considered that DH was a serious problem for patients although 32.5% of students were not sure. Dentists (66%) and students (62.5%) indicated that DH had a major impact on the quality of life (QOL) with 51.1% (dentists) and 56.3% (students) indicating that it was moderate in nature. Conclusion: The results of the present pilot study would suggest that in terms of knowledge and understanding of DH (e.g., hydrodynamic theory) both dentists (90.5%) and students (76.9%) were comparable although in the assessment and subsequent management of DH the results indicated that dentists were more confident than the students.