Comparison of dentine hypersensitivity in selected occidental and orientalpopulations

Epidemiological data on dentine hypersensitivity (DH) prevalence are limite d. Few studies have compared prevalence between populations. The aim of thi s investigation, therefore, was to compare the perception and prevalence of DH in two distinct non-periodontal practice populations, one U.K. and one Korean. Completed questionnaires from 557 patients (230 males and 327 femal es, comprising 115 males and 162 females, mean age 41.7 years (s.d. = 14.36 ), U.K. and 115 males and 165 females, mean age 29.7 years (s.d. = 11.86), Korean) were collected. Analysis was by frequency distribution and cross-ta bulation (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)). DH prevalenc e was similar and at levels comparable with those reported previously. Prev alence was higher in the third and fourth decades in both populations. Alth ough there were no differences between U.K. or Korean males and U.K. or Kor ean females, there was a significant difference between gender reporting of DH, with more females complaining of DH than males (standard normal deviat ion (SND) = 4.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.1134-0.2736). DH appeared to be regarded by patients as not severe in most cases, so treatment was n ot generally sought. Of those who claimed to have sought treatment, a signi ficant number had received restorative treatment. Of those patients, only 2 3.3% of U.K. and less than or equal to2% of Korean patients claimed to have used a desensitizing dentifrice. Pain from DH was reported as low grade (s light, occasional) occurring over 5 years in both populations. Cold appeare d to be the most reported stimulus in the two populations. Less periodontal surgery had been undertaken in these two populations (12.6% U.K. and 7.1% Korean) compared with those referred to a teaching hospital periodontal dep artment (34.5%). This compared favourably with previous findings in the gen eral dental population (15.9%). Discomfort following hygiene therapy did no t appear to last greater than or equal to 7days in either population. The r esults indicated that there were no significant differences between U.K.- a nd Korean-based populations in their perception of DH, with the exception t hat more females complained of sensitivity than males in both groups. Overa ll, DH was not considered a major dental problem by most patients in either of the populations.