Prevalence and Impact of Dentine Hypersensitivity among Undergraduates in a University Campus of Central India

Author(s):

Suryakant C Deogade*, Vinay Suresan, Jaiprakash R Rathod and Dinesh Naitam

Background: Dentine hypersensitivity (DHS) is a common clinical problem exhibiting a varied prevalence values. There is limited documentation on the prevalence of DHS outside the hospital setting and impact of DHS among young adults in India. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and trigger factors associated with DHS among young adults in a university community in Central India. It also aimed to determine the functional and psychological impacts of DHS among them. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried among undergraduates of Rani Durgawati University of Jabalpur in January, 2015. The surveyed population consisted of 570 young adults, 242 males and 328 females, aged 17 to 26 years. All participants answered questions regarding demography, self-reported DHS, the trigger factors, action taken, and functional and psychological impact of DHS on quality of life. Statistical analysis used descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test. P<0.05 was considered as significant. Results: The prevalence of DHS was 57.9% (330/570) among the surveyed population and was significantly higher in females as compared to males (P=0.03). Majority of the participants 95.7% (316/330) who reported DHS were right-handed. About, 53.9% (178/330) participants experienced DHS on the left side of the mouth. Upper posteriors accounted for 38.8% of DHS followed by lower anterior for 31.8%. Among the participants with DHS, majority 211 (63.9%) have not sought any action and only 28 (8.5%) have consulted the dentist for shocking sensation. The major precipitant for the DHS was a cold drink 26.3% (87/330). About 20.6% (68/330) and 15.2% (50/330) of participants with DHS ingest sour-taste fruit and non-sour taste fruit regularly. Majority of participants, i.e. 49.1% (162/330) with DHS experienced more discomfort while eating hard food. Approximately, 33.9% (112/330) participants expressed unhappiness due to tooth sensitivity. Eating, talking and brushing were disturbed, respectively, in 30.9% (102/330), 8.5% (28/330), and 29.4% (97/330) of the participants. Individuals with functional and psychological disturbance were significantly more likely to visit a dentist. Conclusion: The prevalence of DHS found in this study was high which was significantly higher in females than males. All the participants were right-handed and left side of the mouth was the most commonly affected. Cold drink was the major precipitant for DHS. Hard food and sour-taste fruit consumption was significantly associated with DHS. Majority of the participants have not sought any action against shocking sensation. DHS disturbed the functional and psychological patterns of the affected participants. Determining the prevalence and impact of DHS in community-based population is required to treat such patients at the earliest.