Dentine Hypersensitivity and its Quality of Life Impacts Among Libyan Adult Dental Patients in Benghazi

Abstract

There is a scarcity of research focusing on DH in the Arabic world. To authors best of knowledge, no previous attempts have been made to assess the prevalence of DH among Libyan adults or to evaluate impacts of DH on the quality of life. METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional survey to explore the prevalence and associated factors of dentine hypersensitivity and its quality of life impacts among adult Libyan dental patients. The study was conducted in the city of Benghazi which is the second largest city and the country and hosts nearly one million inhabitants who descend from different Libyan tribes and races. The participants, who were adult dental patient, were recruited from one main public clinic (Alsalmani) and two private dental practices during the period between August and September 2021. A paper-based questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic information (age, gender, education), oral health related behaviours (oral hygiene practices and preferences, smoking habits and dietary habits) and history of DH (time, duration and intensity of pain as well as aggravating and reliving factors). Data was analysed using SPSS software. All statistical test was conducted at p value of 0.05. RESULTS: Among 397 sample the distribution of DH cases. Overall, 31% of the participants had DH. However, most of the cases (80, 20.2%) were mild DH and the just 10 participants had DH. The majority of DH patients presented with periodontal problems (84%), followed by toothache (19%) and check-up (11%). The most common reliving factor was ‘removing the cause’ (13.9%) whereas the most aggravating factor was the cold drinks (21.4%). Higher proportions of DH were observed among hard brush users and those who reporting using desensitising toothpaste. (p≤0.05) CONCLUSION: In Libyan dental practice, DH is a commonly presenting condition. It may disturb people during eating, drinking, and oral hygiene habits. The aetiology of DH, which is directly connected with dentine exposure, due to, mainly, cold, stimuli as well as periodontal diseases as a key predisposing factor that may play an important role in initiating this condition.