Impact of dentine hypersensitivity on oral health-related quality of life in individuals receiving supportive periodontal care

Abstract

Aim: To determine the prevalence and impact of dentine hypersensitivity (DH) on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in individuals receiving supportive periodontal care (SPC).

Materials and methods: One hundred and two adults receiving SPC were recruited for a cross-sectional study. Subjects were categorized into those who self-reported DH (DH1) or did not (DH0). Impact of DH on OHRQoL was assessed using the Chinese Condition-Specific Oral Impact on Daily Performance questionnaire (CS-OIDP). Evaluation of DH included tactile-stimulation followed by air-blast, and recorded using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

Results: Sixty-one (59.8%) subjects self-reported DH with mean air-blast VAS score of 29.4 ± 21.3 mm and mean tactile-stimulation VAS score of 10.9 ± 14.7 mm. Fifty (49%) subjects reported impact on OHRQoL (mean CS-OIDP score = 4.7 ± 6.3). The most affected performance was cleaning the mouth (35.3%). Positive expression of DH and worse OHRQoL were associated with higher air-blast and tactile-stimulation VAS scores, and use of desensitizing agents. The minimally important difference (MID) in CS-OIDP scores was 2.0 points. Approximately 30% of the subjects reported CS-OIDP scores above the MID.

Conclusions: Dentine hypersensitivity affects OHRQoL in patients undergoing SPC. The extent of impact was associated with severity of DH.

Keywords: dentine sensitivity; oral health; periodontal diseases; periodontitis; quality of life.