Date: October 13, 2026 | 7:00 PM CST/8:00 PM EST
Duration: 1 Hour
Credits: 1
Presenter: Pamela Maragliano, DMD
Sponsor: Haleon
Cost: Free
Dentin hypersensitivity is one of the most common and sometimes most frustrating conditions encountered in everyday dental practice. While patients may simply report that their teeth are “sensitive,” determining why they hurt and selecting the appropriate treatment requires a deeper understanding of dentin physiology, differential diagnosis, contributing risk factors, and the wide range of available therapies. This course takes a modern, evidence-based look at dentin hypersensitivity, from the hydrodynamic theory and mechanisms of pain to the clinical factors that expose and open dentinal tubules. Participants will explore how erosion, abrasion, recession, periodontal therapy, whitening, restorative procedures, and patient habits can contribute to sensitivity, as well as how to distinguish dentin hypersensitivity from other sources of dental pain. The course will review in-office and at-home treatment strategies, including desensitizing agents, fluoride therapies, bioactive materials, dentifrices, bonding agents, and other emerging technologies. Attendees will leave with a practical framework for identifying the cause of sensitivity, selecting appropriate interventions, and helping patients achieve meaningful and lasting relief.
Learning Objectives
- Explain the etiology and mechanisms of dentin hypersensitivity, including the hydrodynamic theory and the role of exposed dentinal tubules.
- Differentiate dentin hypersensitivity from other sources of dental pain through appropriate history-taking, clinical examination, and differential diagnosis.
- Identify patient-specific risk factors and behaviors that contribute to dentin exposure and hypersensitivity, including erosion, abrasion, recession, periodontal therapy, and whitening.
- Compare current in-office and at-home treatment options and select appropriate therapies based on mechanism of action and clinical presentation.
- Develop an individualized strategy to manage and prevent recurrent sensitivity by addressing both symptoms and underlying causes.
Presented By

Pamela Maragliano, DMD, is the chief editor of Dental Economics. Based in Salem, Massachusetts, Dr. Maragliano began her clinical career as a dental hygienist. She went on to attend Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, where she earned her doctorate in dental medicine. She then attended the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dental Medicine, where she became board-certified in prosthodontics. Dr. Maragliano owns a private practice, Salem Dental Arts, and lectures on a variety of clinical topics.
Supported in part through an unrestricted educational grant by:




