Global Dental Care: MEA Experts Release Stepwise Guide for Dentine Hypersensitivity
A recent expert review, developed by an advisory board panel of 12 dental professionals from eight countries in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), has published new, evidence-based consensus recommendations for managing dentine hypersensitivity (DH). The guidance provides a clear, systematic framework intended to help dental teams in the region routinely diagnose and manage this common condition in daily practice.
These recommendations elevate DH from a background complaint to a condition that is actively screened for, systematically diagnosed, and managed along a clear pathway.
The Diagnostic Mandate in Dental Practice
The new guidance emphasizes a systematic approach, starting with proactive screening and rigorous diagnostic protocols:
Routine Screening: The panel recommends that all dental patients in the MEA region be routinely screened for DH, suggesting a single, standardized question at every visit.
Diagnosis of Exclusion: Clinicians are reminded that DH must remain a diagnosis of exclusion. Before confirming the condition, dental teams must use standard tests and radiographs to rule out other causes of pain, such as caries, cracked tooth syndrome, pulpitis, or periodontal disease.
Standardized Testing: Once other causes are ruled out, the panel advises using stimulus-based testing (e.g., cold air), meticulously charting the tooth, site, severity (using scales like Schiff), and lesion status for longitudinal monitoring.
The Stepwise Dental Management Algorithm
Management of DH is organized into a clear, three-stage algorithm, beginning with the patient and escalating care only when necessary:
Stage 1: Patient Education and Behavior Change: This stage is deemed central to long-term success. It focuses on risk factor control, including instruction on gentle Bass brushing techniques, cautious use of electric brushes, and careful management of acidic dietary intake.
Stage 2: Home-Based Care (First-Line): The primary recommended first-line treatment is the sustained, long-term use of desensitizing toothpastes containing tubule-occluding agents or potassium salts. Fluoride mouthrinses are recommended as adjuncts for patients at high risk of erosion or caries.
Stage 3: In-Office Therapy: If symptoms persist, the algorithm moves to professional application of agents such as fluoride varnishes, glutaraldehyde and HEMA desensitisers, or laser treatments. Restorative, endodontic, or periodontal plastic procedures are reserved only for cases involving significant structural or soft-tissue defects.
The guidance also stresses the need for regular follow-up reviews and advocates for integrating DH management fully into dental and dental hygiene curricula across the MEA region.
Original Article Details
Original Title: MEA Experts Release Stepwise Guide for Dentine Hypersensitivity
Source: Dental Tribune (Referencing Frontiers in Oral Health)
Publication Date: December 3, 2025