Objectives  Dentine hypersensitivity is a transient sharp, well- localised pain arising from exposed dentine, typically in response to chemical, thermal, tactile or  osmotic stimuli, which cannot be explained by any other dental defect or pathology. Dentine hypersensitivity is a common oral problem in adults. According to the recent survey in China, the prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity is about 29.7% in urban adults and 34.8% in rural areas. Fluoride can effectively prevent dental caries, but excessive exposure to fluoride especially from drinking water can cause dental fluorosis, change the structure of enamel. Although there are many studies about dentine hypersensitivity with different survey methods and different target populations in the world, but there has been no report on dentine hypersensitivity in the endemic fluorosis rural area .The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence and clinical features of dentine hypersensitivity in subjects with and without fluorosis.

Methods  A total of 1048 subjects (622 subjects in endemic fluorosis rural area and 426 subjects in no endemic fluorosis rural area) aged 30-69 years old were examined at 8 investigation points during a study period of one year in Liaoning province in China. Participants completed the questionnaires and underwent clinical examination. Dentin hypersensitivity was diagnosed by recording the reaction after stimulation with a blast of compressed air from a triple syringe at 1cm from the tooth surface. The relative risk factors of dentin hypersensitivity were analyzed. Fluoride ion selected electrode was used to determinate fluoride content in drinking water.

Results　The fluoride concentration in drinking water in endemic fluorosis rural area was from 1.15 mg/L to 1.50 mg/L , and from 0.37 mg/L to 0.75 mg/L in no endemic fluorosis rural area. The prevalence of dental fluorosis in endemic fluorosis rural area was 95%, and 61 were found to have dentin hypersensitivity, the prevalence was 9.8%. The commonest teeth affected were the lower front teeth. In no endemic fluorosis rural area, there are 28.6% of the subjects affected by dentin hypersensitivity, and the commonest teeth affected were the premolar. There was significant difference between two areas. The questionnaires showed there is no difference between the live style and oral hygiene habits in the two areas. Nobody in sensitive group had taken measurements or gone to see the dentist.

Conclusions  The subjects in endemic fluorosis rural area (fluoride concentration in drinking water from 1.15 mg/L to 1.50 mg/L) may have been suffering from dentin hypersensitivity less than the subjects in normal rural areas. Public oral health education and effective treatment of dentin hypersensitivity are required in Chinese rural areas.

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