The prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity in a hospital clinic population in Hong Kong.
OBJECTIVE
Dentine hypersensitivity is a common clinical finding with a wide variation in prevalence values. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity and to examine some associated aetiological factors in a cross-sectional study of patients visiting the Periodontology and Oral Hygiene Clinic at Prince Phillip Dental Hospital, Hong Kong over a three-week period.


METHODS
226 patients were examined over a three-week period using a triple syringe to administer a blast of cold air to confirm the diagnosis of dentine hypersensitivity. Additional factors such as smoking habits, initiating stimuli, gingival recession and cervical tooth surface loss were noted.


RESULTS
153 patients were diagnosed as having dentine hypersensitivity, giving a prevalence figure of 67.7%. The commonest teeth affected were the lower incisors and the commonest initiating factor was cold drinks.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity in a hospital periodontology clinic population in Hong Kong was 67.7%.
Rees
J S
JS
Department of Oral and Dental Science, Division of Restorative Dentistry, University of Bristol Dental School, Lower Maudlin Street, BS1 2LY, Bristol, UK. j.s.rees@bristol.ac.uk
Jin
L J
LJ
Lam
S
S
Kudanowska
I
I
Vowles
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001628:Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003796:Dental Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005889:Gingival Recession / Q000453:epidemiology; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D014072:Tooth Abrasion / Q000453:epidemiology; D019237:Tooth Cervix / Q000473:pathology