The Dentine Hypersensitivity Experience Questionnaire: a longitudinal validation study

Aim To validate the Dentine Hypersensitivity Experience Questionnaire in terms of responsiveness to change and to determine the minimally important difference. Materials and Methods The study was a secondary analysis of data from three randomized controlled trials with 311 participants. Three aspects of responsiveness were examined: change within individuals, differences among people who improved, stayed the same or worsened using an external referent and change due to treatment. Responsiveness to treatments of differing efficacy was assessed in trials with negative and active controls. Results The measure showed excellent internal reliability, test–retest reliability and criterion validity. The measure was highly responsive to change within individuals (Cohen's effect sizes: 0.28, 0.56, 0.86) showing decreases in the total score (i.e. improvement in OHrQoL) across all trials. The effect sizes in participants whose self‐reported QoL “improved” were large (0.73–1.31). Dentine Hypersensitivity Experience Questionnaire detected a treatment effect in one of two negative control trials (effect size: 0.47). Dentine Hypersensitivity Experience Questionnaire scores were similar in the test and control groups in the active control trial. The minimally important difference range was between 22 and 39 points. Conclusions The measure is longitudinally reliable, valid and responsive and can discriminate between treatments of different efficacy.