title: Observations on dentine hypersensitivity in general dental practices in the United Arab Emirates.
abstract: Dentine hypersensitivity is a common clinical finding with a wide variation in prevalence values and etiological factors. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the prevalence and some etiological factors of dentine hypersensitivity of Emirati patients visiting general dental clinics in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over a period of three calendar months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six general dental practitioners examined 204 Emirati patients over a period of three calendar months and patients who had dentine hypersensitivity diagnosed were questioned further about their smoking habits and the frequency, severity, and duration of their pain. Furthermore, cervical tooth surface loss was noted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 55 patients were diagnosed as having dentine hypersensitivity, giving a prevalence figure of 27%. The most common teeth affected were the lower anterior teeth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity in Emirati patients visiting a general dental clinic in the UAE was 27%. The most common etiology appeared to be the loss of cervical tooth surface structure.
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Specialized Dental Practice, College of Dentistry, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Hasanain
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Al-Khafaji
keywords: Dental pain; dentine hypersensitivity; etiology of dentine hypersensitivity; smoking habits