Dentine hypersensitivity is commonly experienced by patients. Studies reveal prevalence rates can range from 3-98%. Prevalence is found to be higher in patient questionnaire studies, 74%,  over diagnostic studies, 15-30%. Diagnostic studies are where patients are diagnosed on classical symptoms (rapid, sharp, short duration). This discrepancy in range can be explained by DH being underreported due to the difficulties patients face when describing symptoms. The scale of symptoms for DH are so variant, some patients are unable to eat ice cream or drink cold water, whereas for others, discomfort is episodic in nature. Episodic symptoms of DH is the likely reason why some patients fail to report the discomfort. Hence having a negative effect on the number of diagnoses. If a patient does not complain of the symptoms then no additional screening checks are in place for dentin hypersensitivity and often the diagnosis is missed.  It must be remembered that DH is seen as a diagnosis of exclusion.