Dhelfeson Willya Douglas de Oliveira

Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract Title: Longitudinal Validation of the Brazilian Version of the Dentine Hypersensitivity Experience Questionnaire (DHEQ-15)

Biography: Dhelfeson W. Douglas de Oliveira has completed his PhD at the age of 30 years from Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. He teaches Periodontally and Biostatics at Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Macura Valleys, Brazil. He has published more than 75 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an editorial board member of BMC Oral Health.

Research Interest: The objective was to longitudinally validate the Brazilian version of the Dentine Hypersensitivity Experience Questionnaire (DHEQ-15). Patients aged 18 years or older presenting dentin hypersensitivity (DH) in at least two non-adjacent teeth with a Schiff scale response ?1 were included. Questionnaires that were not fully completed were excluded. The Brazilian version of the DHEQ-15 was answered by 51 patients with DH. These patients were subsequently treated for DH with either GLUMA® or placebo. Treatment was randomized using computer-generated allocation and remained concealed until the intervention; each patient received only one type of treatment. DH was assessed using evaporative and tactile stimuli. DH severity was measured using a numerical rating scale. Data were collected at baseline and 4 weeks after the initial treatment. Patients, operators, and evaluators were blinded to the treatment. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Wilcoxon test, and Spearman’s correlation. The sample consisted of 11 men and 40 women. In the GLUMA group, the initial DHEQ-15 score was 70.36, with a statistically significant reduction after treatment (final score 53.0) (p<0.001). Following GLUMA treatment, there was a significant reduction in DH levels for both evaporative (p<0.001) and tactile stimuli (p<0.001). A moderate positive correlation was found between the DHEQ-15 score and DH levels (evaporative: rs=0.534, p=0.018; tactile: rs=0.431, p=0.003). The results demonstrate the responsiveness of the DHEQ-15 to changes in DH levels, thereby supporting the longitudinal validation of the Brazilian questionnaire. (Supported by CNPq 444029-2023, CAPES, FAPEMIG, UFVJM)