Temporomandibular joints disorders (TMDs) prevalence and their relation to anxiety in dental students

Abstract

Background: Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) are very common disorders affecting the population and causing pain. Researchers have reported a high prevalence of TMDs among university students due to increased distress. The aims of this study were to determine the frequency of TMDs in Umm al-Qura University (UQU) dental students using the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD), and to examine the relationship between anxiety, bruxism, and TMDs among those students. Methods: The DC/TMD pain screener questionnaire was completed by dental students. Students who reported TMD pain or had at least one positive TMD symptom were invited to the dental clinic for a full TMJ evaluation. History of bruxism was documented and an ultra-brief tool for detecting anxiety and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-4 PHQ) was completed by all students. Results: A total of 240 students responded to the TMD pain screener in which 119 reported at least one TMJ symptom. Only 93 dental students presented to clinical examination in which 64.5% (n=60) of them had temporomandibular joint disorders. Disc displacement with reduction and local myalgia (38.7% & 32.25%, respectively) were the most frequent diagnosis. A total of 29% (n=27) of students had more than one diagnosis. Overall, 41 participants (44.09%) reported a positive response to the anxiety scale and (n=38) 40% of participants reported parafunctional habits. Both the history of bruxism and anxiety were significantly related to TMDs (P=0.0002) and also significantly higher in women of higher academic years (P≤0.01). Conclusions: This study found a high prevalence of TMDs among UQU dental students. Disc displacement with reduction was the most prevalent disorder. Bruxism and anxiety were associated with painful TMDs.

Association Between Stress and Parafunctional Habits Among Undergraduate Healthcare Students of Pakistan

“…In the current study, 65.2% of the study participants were females and a majority of the respondents had stress which lead to the development of parafunctional habits progressing to temporomandibular disorders. [11][12][13][14][16][17] The most widespread parafunctional habit seen in the present study was lip biting in 30% of the students which was in agreement with the results of Malik et al whereas other studies observed chewing gums as the most common one. 16,[18][19] Thumb sucking was found to be least prevalent which was in agreement with Malik et al findings although the least prevailing parafunctional habit narrated by Butt et al was chewing gums.…”

“…8,16 Prevalence of temporomandibular disorders as a consequence of oral parafunctional habits was found to be higher in dental students as reported by different studies. [13][14][15] The stress experienced by students had a significant association with clenching and grinding of teeth and a close relationship between bruxism and anxiety was also reported by Homeida et al 14 Bruxism is described as the clenching or grinding of teeth whether awake or sleeping. It's generally done unconsciously, and most individuals aren't aware of it.…”