A high prevalence of TMD is related to somatic awareness and pain intensity among healthy dental students

Authors

  • Anna Lövgren Clinical Oral Physiology, Department of Odontology Faculty of Medicine, University of Umeå, Umeå, Sweden
  • Catharina Österlund Clinical Oral Physiology, Department of Odontology Faculty of Medicine, University of Umeå, Umeå, Sweden
  • Aurelija Ilgunas Clinical Oral Physiology, Department of Odontology Faculty of Medicine, University of Umeå, Umeå, Sweden
  • Ewa Lampa Clinical Oral Physiology, Department of Odontology Faculty of Medicine, University of Umeå, Umeå, Sweden
  • Fredrik Hellström Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Department of Occupational and Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1080/00016357.2018.1440322

Keywords:

Temporomandibular disorders, diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders, psychosocial assessmen, dental students

Abstract

Objective: Dental students have been identified as a group with high risks of developing both temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and psychosocial conditions. Our primary aim was to evaluate the cross-sectional prevalence of TMD diagnoses, as defined in the Diagnostic Criteria (DC)/TMD, among dental students. The secondary aim was to evaluate the prevalence and association of behavioural and psychosocial factors in relation to DC/TMD diagnoses.

Materials and methods: The study was conducted among undergraduate dental students during the second semester of their third year at the Department of Odontology, Medical Faculty, Umeå University, Sweden. Three consecutive cohorts were recruited during August in 2013, 2014, 2015. In total, 54 students were included and examined according the DC/TMD procedure.

Results and conclusions: The prevalence of any DC/TMD diagnosis was 30%. The most prevalent TMD diagnosis was myalgia. Individuals with a TMD-pain diagnosis (i.e. myalgia or arthralgia) reported significantly higher pain intensity levels according to the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS) as compared to individuals without TMD-pain (Fisher’s exact test p < .001, two-sided). In addition, individuals with any TMD scored significantly higher jaw functional limitations according to the Jaw Functional Limitation Scale 20 (JFLS-20, p < .001) and oral parafunctions according to the Oral Behavior Checklist (OBC, p = .005) as compared to individuals without TMD. The psychosocial factors evaluated did not differ between individual with or without a TMD diagnosis. The majority of the dental students reported symptoms that are already identified as risk factors for developing TMD and pain conditions. However, longitudinal data are needed to evaluate how this evolves over time.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Published

2018-08-18