ORCID

Document Type

Article

Abstract

ObjectiveThis systematic review, the first in this field, aimed to evaluate if interventions for dentin hypersensitivity (DH) affect patient-reported oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL).MethodsA systematic search was conducted across seven electronic databases and gray literature sources, focusing on interventional studies published from 2010 onward. Eligible studies included adult participants with DH and assessed OHRQoL using validated measures. Data extraction followed the PRISMA guidelines. Risk of bias was appraised using the JBI tool.ResultsThirteen randomized controlled trials involving 616 participants were included. Interventions ranged from desensitizing agents, fluoride varnishes, and laser therapy to nonpharmacological approaches like behavioral techniques. QoL was measured primarily using OHIP-14 and DHEQ-15 tools. The certainty of evidence was rated as very low due to risks of bias, inconsistency, and imprecision.ConclusionsKey findings from this review can help shape the way we understand, quantify, and explore QoL in patients diagnosed with DH. Although several interventions showed promise in reducing DH symptoms and improving QoL, the current evidence base is methodologically limited and inconsistent. High-quality studies using standardized, validated patient-reported outcome measures are needed. Clinical management of DH should incorporate assessment of OHRQoL to guide holistic, patient-centred care.

Publication Date

2026-04-24

Publication Title

Periodontology 2000

ISSN

0906-6713

Acceptance Date

2026-03-15

Deposit Date

2026-10-02

Keywords

dental pain, dentin hypersensitivity, DHEQ, OHIP-14, patient-reported outcomes, quality of life, systematic review

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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