Assessment of knowledge and professional practices related to dentin hypersensitivity: Results from a practice-based research network (ReCOL) survey. - 2026
Dentin sensitivity; Dentists; Practice patterns, dentists'; Clinical decision-making; surveys and questionnaires
Abstract :
[en] [en] OBJECTIVES: Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) remains a common clinical challenge, and its pathogenesis is still poorly understood by many dental practitioners (DPs). While several international surveys have explored DPs' knowledge and practices regarding DH, European data remain scarce. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, opinions, diagnostic approaches, and management practices related to DH among French-speaking DPs in France and Belgium.
METHODS: A specifically designed French-language questionnaire was distributed online to members of the ReCOL practice-based research network in France and the Belgian Dental Medicine Society. Reponses from 489 DPs were considered for analysis (descriptive and statistical - U Mann-Whitney and Chi-squared test).
RESULTS: The findings revealed substantial variability in knowledge and clinical practices, both within and between the two countries. Significant relationships were also found between demographic characteristics (particularly age) and their knowledge and practices. Although more than 80% identified fluid movement within dentinal tubules as a key pain mechanism, fewer than half reported confidence in diagnosing DH (France: 36.5%; Belgium: 48.3%), highlighting persistent uncertainties in clinical practice.
CONCLUSIONS: Greater awareness, more systematic screening strategies, strengthened initial and continuing education, and clearer evidence-based recommendations are needed to improve DH diagnosis and management.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In France and Belgium, there is substantial variability in DPs' understanding, diagnostic approaches and management strategies toward DH. More importantly, DH remains insufficiently prioritized in daily clinical practice despite its high prevalence and its well-documented negative impact on patients' QoL. Many participants expressed a desire for additional education and continuing professional development regarding DH.
Research Center/Unit :
d‐BRU - Dental Biomaterials Research Unit - ULiège
Disciplines :
Dentistry & oral medicine
Author, co-author :
Queneau, Victoire; Université Clermont Auvergne, Centre de Recherche en Odontologie Clinique EA 4847, UFR d'Odontologie, Clermont-Ferrand, France, Service d'Odontologie, CHU Estaing Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
Grosgogeat, Brigitte ; Hospices Civils de Lyon, Service d'Odontologie, Lyon, France, Université Lyon 1, Faculté d'Odontologie, Laboratoire des Biomatériaux et Interfaces, UMR CNRS 561, Lyon, France
Sanchez, Christelle ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences dentaires > Biomatériaux dentaires
Mainjot, Amélie ✱; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences dentaires > Biomatériaux dentaires
Doméjean, Sophie ✱; Université Clermont Auvergne, Centre de Recherche en Odontologie Clinique EA 4847, UFR d'Odontologie, Clermont-Ferrand, France, Service d'Odontologie, CHU Estaing Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France. Electronic address: sophie.domejean@uca.fr
✱ These authors have contributed equally to this work.
Language :
English
Title :
Assessment of knowledge and professional practices related to dentin hypersensitivity: Results from a practice-based research network (ReCOL) survey.
Canadian advisory board on dentin hypersersenstivity, consensus-based recommendations for the diagnosis and management of dentin hypersensitivity. J. Can. Dent. Assoc. 69:4 (2003), 221–226.
Favaro Zeola, L., Soares, P.V., Cunha-Cruz, J., Prevalence of dentin hypersensitivity: systematic review and meta-analysis. J. Dent. 81 (2019), 1–6.
Goergen, J., Costa, R.S.A., Rios, F.S., Moura, M.S., Maltz, M., Jardim, J.J., Celeste, R.K., Haas, A.N., Oral conditions associated with oral health related quality of life: a population-based cross-sectional study in Brazil. J. Dent., 129, 2023, 104390.
Salam, T.A.A., Mubarak Algharbi, E., Ibrahim Alsane, M., Ibraheem Alhaji, M., Ahmed Aldohayan, N., Saud Albarrak, A., Chitumalla, R., Assessment of patients' experience and perception toward dentinal hypersensitivity for its diagnosis and management: a cross-sectional study. Cureus, 15(2), 2023, e35214.
Idon, P.I., Sotunde, O.A., Ogundare, T.O., Beyond the relief of pain: dentin hypersensitivity and oral health-related quality of life. Front. Dent. 16:5 (2019), 325–334.
Bekes, K., Hirsch, C., What is known about the influence of dentine hypersensitivity on oral health-related quality of life?. Clin. Oral Investig. 17:Suppl 1 (2013), S45–S51.
Alayadi, H., Alsadon, O., Alwadi, M.A., Alkhateeb, A.A., Alroweilly, D., Alassmi, Z., Alshehri, W., The prevalence and impact of dentinal hypersensitivity on adults' quality of life in Saudi Arabia. Dent. J., 13(8), 2025.
Bekes, K., John, M.T., Schaller, H.G., Hirsch, C., Oral health-related quality of life in patients seeking care for dentin hypersensitivity. J. Oral Rehabil. 36:1 (2009), 45–51.
Amarasena, N., Spencer, J., Ou, Y., Brennan, D., Dentine hypersensitivity - Australian dentists' perspective. Aust. Dent. J. 55:2 (2010), 181–187.
Mosquim, V., Zabeu, G.S., Jacomine, J.C., Santin, D.C., Honorio, H.M., Wang, L., Brazilian undergraduates' and dentists' knowledge on preventing, diagnosing and managing dentin hypersensitivity: a cross-sectional questionnaire study. Int. J. Dent. Hyg. 23:1 (2025), 3–13.
Clark, D., Levin, L., Tooth hypersensitivity treatment trends among dental professionals. Quintessence Int. 49:2 (2018), 147–151.
Exarchou, C., Betsani, I., Sakellari, D., Chatzopoulou, D., Gillam, D., A survey of dentists in the management of dentine hypersensitivity: a questionnaire-based study. Eur. J. Dent. 13:3 (2019), 383–390.
Lisa, C., Ekata, J., Anisha, D., Maithili, K., Payal, B., A questionnaire based study about knowledge and management of dentin hypersensitivity among dentists. Bioinformation 21:3 (2025), 553–558.
Pereira, R., Gillam, D.G., Bapatla, S., Satyamurthy, P., Awareness of dentine hypersensitivity among general dental practitioners in Mumbai, India. J. Odontol., 2, 2018, 103.
Oderinu, O.H., Sede, M.A., Oginni, A.O., Adegbulugbe, I.C., Uti, O.G., Olusile, A.O., Udoye, C.I., Savage, K.O., Knowledge, diagnosis and management of dentine hypersensitivity: a national survey of dentists in Nigeria. Int. Dent. J. 67:5 (2017), 287–293.
Izhar, F., Nazir, M.A., Majeed, A., Almas, K., A study of dentists about their knowledge and practice of dentine hypersensitivity. Eur. J. Dent. 13:4 (2019), 540–546.
Benoist, F.L., Ndiaye, F.G., Faye, B., Bane, K., Ngom, P.I., Ndong, P.M., Knowledge of and management attitude regarding dentin hypersensitivity among dentists from a West African country. J. Contemp. Dent. Pr. 15:1 (2014), 86–91.
Schuurs, A.H., Wesselink, P.R., Eijkman, M.A., Duivenvoorden, H.J., Dentists' views on cervical hypersensitivity and their knowledge of its treatment. Endod. Dent. Traumatol. 11:5 (1995), 240–244.
Gillam, D.G., Seo, H.S., Bulman, J.S., Newman, H.N., Perceptions of dentine hypersensitivity in a general practice population. J. Oral Rehabil. 26:9 (1999), 710–714.
Agheli, N., De Faria Neiva, G., Maia, R.R., Siddanna, G.D., Inglehart, M.R., Dentists' education, knowledge, and professional behavior concerning the diagnosis and treatment of dentin hypersensitivity: an exploration. J. Dent. Educ. 87:12 (2023), 1705–1717.
Litaker, M.S., Kopycka-Kedzierawski, D.T., Rindal, D.B., Fellows, J.L., Heft, M.W., Meyerowitz, C., Chonowski, S., Gilbert, G.H., P.C.G. National Dental, concordance between practitioner questionnaire responses and observed clinical treatment recommendations for treatment of dentin hypersensitivity: findings from the national dental practice-based research network. BMC. Oral. Health, 19(1), 2019, 112.
Kopycka-Kedzierawski, D.T., Meyerowitz, C., Litaker, M.S., Heft, M.W., Tasgaonkar, N., Day, M.R., Porter-Williams, A., Gordan, V.V., Yardic, R.L., Lawhorn, T.M., Gilbert, G.H., P.C.G. National dental, management of dentin hypersensitivity by practitioners in the national dental practice-based research network. J. Am. Dent. Assoc. 148:10 (2017), 728–736.
Kopycka-Kedzierawski, D.T., Meyerowitz, C., Litaker, M.S., Chonowski, S., Heft, M.W., Gordan, V.V., Yardic, R.L., Madden, T.E., Reyes, S.C., Gilbert, G.H., P.C.G. National Dental, Management of dentin hypersensitivity by national dental practice-based research network practitioners: results from a questionnaire administered prior to initiation of a clinical study on this topic. BMC. Oral. Health, 17(1), 2017, 41.
Cunha-Cruz, J., Wataha, J.C., Zhou, L., Manning, W., Trantow, M., Bettendorf, M.M., Heaton, L.J., Berg, J., Treating dentin hypersensitivity: therapeutic choices made by dentists of the northwest PRECEDENT network. J. Am. Dent. Assoc. 141:9 (2010), 1097–1105.
Aminoshariae, A., Kulild, J.C., Current concepts of dentinal hypersensitivity. J. Endod. 47:11 (2021), 1696–1702.
Dai, T., Xie, X., Cao, M., Li, D., Cai, X., Chen, J., Recent advances in the study of therapeutic materials and techniques for dentin hypersensitivity. J. Dent., 156, 2025, 105719.
Eysenbach, G., Improving the quality of web surveys: the checklist for reporting results of internet E-surveys (CHERRIES). J. Med. Internet. Res., 6(3), 2004, e34.
Gilbert, G.H., Williams, O.D., Rindal, D.B., Pihlstrom, D.J., Benjamin, P.L., Wallace, M.C., Group, D.C., The creation and development of the dental practice-based research network. J. Am. Dent. Assoc. 139:1 (2008), 74–81.
Gilbert, G.H., Williams, O.D., Korelitz, J.J., Fellows, J.L., Gordan, V.V., Makhija, S.K., Meyerowitz, C., Oates, T.W., Rindal, D.B., Benjamin, P.L., Foy, P.J., P.C.G. National dental, purpose, structure, and function of the United States National dental practice-based research network. J. Dent. 41:11 (2013), 1051–1059.
Gordan, V.V., Translating research into everyday clinical practice: lessons learned from a USA dental practice-based research network. Dent. Mater. 29:1 (2013), 3–9.
jamovi, The jamovi project (Version 2.7) [Computer Software], 2025.
R.C. Team, R: A Language and environment for statistical computing. (Version 4.5) [Computer software], 2025.
Y. Kazuki, tableone: Create 'Table 1′ to Describe Baseline Characteristics. [R package], 2019.
S. Balci, ClinicoPath jamovi Module doi:10.5281/zenodo.3997188. [R package]. 2022.
J. Larmarange, ggstats: Extension to 'ggplot2′ for Plotting Stats. [R package], 2025.
Canceill, T., Monsarrat, P., Faure-Clement, E., Tohme, M., Vergnes, J.N., Grosgogeat, B., Dental practice-based research networks (D-PBRN) worldwide: a scoping review. J. Dent., 104, 2021, 103523.
West, N.X., Newcombe, R.G., Alonso, B., Araoz, A., Cosgarea, R., Creeth, J., Daly, S., Davies, M., Dias, J., Faria-Almeida, R., Gennai, S., Graziani, F., Griffith, L., Harding, M., Herrera, D., Hellin, N., Jepsen, S., Legido, B., Rioboo, M., Prosper, M., Seong, J., Staehli, A., Sculean, A., Dentine hypersensitivity and associations with self-reported oral health and quality of life data in seven European countries. J. Dent., 2025, 106313.
West, N.X., Davies, M., Sculean, A., Jepsen, S., Faria-Almeida, R., Harding, M., Graziani, F., Newcombe, R.G., Creeth, J.E., Herrera, D., Prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity, erosive tooth wear, gingival recession and periodontal health in seven European countries. J. Dent., 150, 2024, 105364.
West, N.X., Sanz, M., Lussi, A., Bartlett, D., Bouchard, P., Bourgeois, D., Prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity and study of associated factors: a European population-based cross-sectional study. J. Dent. 41:10 (2013), 841–851.
Asimakopoulou, K., West, N., Davies, M., Gupta, A., Parkinson, C., Scambler, S., Why don't dental teams routinely discuss dentine hypersensitivity during consultations? A qualitative study informed by the theoretical domains framework. J. Clin. Periodontol. 51:2 (2024), 118–126.
Asimakopoulou, K., West, N.X., Davies, M., Gupta, A., Parkinson, C., Scambler, S., Why don't patients with dentine hypersensitivity discuss the condition with their dentist?. J. Dent., 150, 2024, 105362.
Brannstrom, M., Linden, L.A., Astrom, A., The hydrodynamics of the dental tubule and of pulp fluid. A discussion of its significance in relation to dentinal sensitivity. Caries Res. 1:4 (1967), 310–317.
Seong, J., Parkinson, C., Mangal, M., Grimaldi, R., Serra, G., Smith, G., Karandikar, Y., West, N., An exploratory randomised controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of an experimental toothpaste in the relief of dentine hypersensitivity. J. Dent., 164, 2026, 106226.
Hall, C., Sufi, F., Wang, N., Goyal, C.R., Efficacy of an experimental 3% potassium nitrate mouthwash in providing long-term relief from dentin hypersensitivity:an 8-week randomized controlled study (Study 1). Am. J. Dent. 30:1 (2017), 27–34.
Zhao, S., Zhou, L., Jiang, Y., Xing, X., Er:YAG laser therapy in combination with GLUMA desensitizer reduces dentin hypersensitivity in children with molar-incisor hypomineralization: a randomized clinical trial. Lasers. Med. Sci., 38(1), 2023, 280.
Cekici, A., Shaikh, A., Alsayed, A., Gokbuget, A.Y., Patel, E., Marei, H., Awad, M., Banday, N., Habib, N.A., Osailan, S.M., Theuri, T., Adeyemi, T.E., Parkinson, C.R., Hamdy, A., Thomas, J., Evidence-based recommendations for diagnosing and managing dentine hypersensitivity in clinical practice: insights from the Middle East and Africa. Front. Oral. Health, 6, 2025, 1663984.
Althubaiti, A., Information bias in health research: definition, pitfalls, and adjustment methods. J. Multidiscip. Heal., 9, 2016, 211.
