IADR Abstract Archives
Dentine Hypersensitivity and its Quality of Life Impacts Among Libyan Adult Dental Patients in Benghazi
Objectives: Dentine Hypersensitivity DH is a commonly presenting condition in dental practice which may negatively affect the quality of life, the diagnosis can be made by self-reported measures or through clinical testing. No previous studies had investigated the prevalence of DH in Libyan population. The aim of the present study was to describe the distribution and impacts of DH among Libyan adult dental patients.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was used to explore the prevalence and associated factors of dentine hypersensitivity and its quality of life impacts among adult Libyan dental patients. The participants were recruited from one main public clinic and two private dental practices during the period between August and September 2021, the data was collected using both paper-based questionnaires and clinical examination to diagnose DH and assess its impact on OHRQoL.
Dentine hypersensitivity was diagnosed based on clinical stimulation of DH by passing dental explorer on all teeth facial surfaces as well as the application air of blast from three-in-one syringe connected to the dental unit. The resulting pain was scored by Schiff cold air scale. Comparison of the prevalence of DH according to behaviors and oral health status and social class were carried out using chi-squared test. All statistical test was conducted at p value of 0.05.
Results: Data from 384 participants were included in this study, 31% of the participants had DH. However, most of the cases (20.2%) were mild DH, which most affected teeth were in the lower anterior sextant (20.1%), the most aggravating factor was the cold drinks (21.4%) and the majority of DH patients presented with periodontal problems (84%). DH had varying impacts on different items of DHEQ15. The highest impacts were related to taking longer time to finish food (43.7%), feeling older (40%).
Conclusions: In Libyan dental practice, DH is a commonly presenting condition. It may disturb people during eating, drinking, and oral hygiene habits. The aetiology of DH, which is directly connected with dentine exposure, due to, mainly, cold, stimuli as well as periodontal diseases as a key predisposing factor that may play an important role in initiating this condition. Dental education program should place more emphasis of DH as a common condition in Libyan dental practice.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was used to explore the prevalence and associated factors of dentine hypersensitivity and its quality of life impacts among adult Libyan dental patients. The participants were recruited from one main public clinic and two private dental practices during the period between August and September 2021, the data was collected using both paper-based questionnaires and clinical examination to diagnose DH and assess its impact on OHRQoL.
Dentine hypersensitivity was diagnosed based on clinical stimulation of DH by passing dental explorer on all teeth facial surfaces as well as the application air of blast from three-in-one syringe connected to the dental unit. The resulting pain was scored by Schiff cold air scale. Comparison of the prevalence of DH according to behaviors and oral health status and social class were carried out using chi-squared test. All statistical test was conducted at p value of 0.05.
Results: Data from 384 participants were included in this study, 31% of the participants had DH. However, most of the cases (20.2%) were mild DH, which most affected teeth were in the lower anterior sextant (20.1%), the most aggravating factor was the cold drinks (21.4%) and the majority of DH patients presented with periodontal problems (84%). DH had varying impacts on different items of DHEQ15. The highest impacts were related to taking longer time to finish food (43.7%), feeling older (40%).
Conclusions: In Libyan dental practice, DH is a commonly presenting condition. It may disturb people during eating, drinking, and oral hygiene habits. The aetiology of DH, which is directly connected with dentine exposure, due to, mainly, cold, stimuli as well as periodontal diseases as a key predisposing factor that may play an important role in initiating this condition. Dental education program should place more emphasis of DH as a common condition in Libyan dental practice.