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 2023; DOI: 10.1111/jcpe.13885.

Systemic and behavioural barriers to dentine hypersensitivity conversations explain why these conversations don't occur routinely.

Although dentine hypersensitivity is widespread and significant, it is not routinely discussed in appointments. This qualitative study aimed to develop an understanding of the barriers and facilitators to these discussions. Seven online focus groups were organised with a total of 40 participants comprising experienced dentists, foundation trainees and dental care professionals. An attitude-behaviour gap was observed. Although they saw it as part of their professional role to routinely discuss sensitivity and believed that such conversations were ‘an easy win', in practice they experienced several barriers that hindered these conversations, including competing priorities, a perceived lack of seriousness, and practical issues such as time.