1Post Graduate Student, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Faculty of Dental Sciences, RUAS, Bangalore
2Reader, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Faculty of Dental Sciences, RUAS, Bangalore
3Professor, Head of Department, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Faculty of Dental Sciences, RUAS, Bangalore
*Corresponding Author Email: drtimsiguptamsr@gmail.com
Online published on 18 January, 2019.
The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and management protocol of dentin hypersensitivity among dentists in the city of Bangalore.
The study involved dentists from private and public sectors in city of Bangalore. The following data were requested from the surveyed dentists using an anonymous questionnaire; knowledge on triggering factor, type of pain, diagnosis, preventive and curative procedures and recent management protocol.
Out of the 120 dentists who received the questionnaire, 99 returned properly filled forms. About half of the dentists (53%) reported that dentin hypersensitivity was due to loss of enamel. Mechanical stimulus such as faulty toothbrushing was reported by 6% of them. 54 dentists used air blast to elicit DH pain. The first modality of treatment reported was use of desensitizing toothpaste (72%) followed by patient education (19%) and restoration (8%). Regarding the recent advances in this field, there was paucity of knowledge amongst the clinicians. Only 2% of them mentioned the use of remineralising desensitizers such as Teethmate as an effective treatment modality.
We suggest incorporation of basic science knowledge on orofacial pain and competencies to manage painful conditions like dentin hypersensitivity. Also, Health regulatory institutions ought to make proceeding with dental training a necessity to safeguard the dental licensure.
Dentin Hypersensitivity, Knowledge, Management, General Dental Practitioners
