Prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) among Finnish prisoners: cross-sectional clinical study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of self-reported temporomandibular disorders (TMD) symptoms and clinically diagnosed TMD among Finnish prisoners.

Material and methods: Altogether 100 prisoners from the Pelso Prison, Vaala, Finland, underwent dental and TMD clinical examinations performed by a calibrated and well-trained dentist. Symptom Questionnaire and clinical examination according to a Finnish pre-final version of the DC/TMD (Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders) Axis I protocol were used to evaluate the prevalence of TMD sub-diagnoses.

Results: The most common TMD symptoms were facial pain (54.0%), temporomandibular joint noises (43.0%) and headache (37.0%). The prevalence of joint-related TMD diagnoses was four and a half times higher than diagnoses attributed with pain (76.0% vs. 17.0%). The most common TMD diagnoses were degenerative joint disease (33.0%) and disc displacement with reduction (33.0%).

Conclusions: The prevalence of self-reported TMD symptoms and clinical assessed TMD, especially join-related TMD diagnoses, is high among Finnish prisoners. Examination and treatment of TMD should become a common practice also in prison dental care.