The Incidence of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders among Dental Students in Aljouf University, Ksa

This study aimed to investigate the incidence of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) among dental students in Aljouf University, KSA. The present study included 150 dental students divided into two groups: group I (88 participants; comprised of first and second year students), and group II (62 participants; comprised of third and fourth year students). Data about the signs and symptoms of TMD and the risk factors were collected using a printed pre-evaluation questionnaires and clinical examinations. The data was processed and analyzed using SPSS statistical software 12. A pvalue of 0.05 or less was considered significant. From the pre-evaluated questionnaire, it was found that the students with TMDs (positive cases) were 31 students. The group I showed increased TMD incidence, 19 (61.3%), compared to group II 12 (38.7%). The most prevalent TMD among the students was MPD, which was diagnosed in 15 cases, comprising (58%) of the total positive cases. On the other hand, the most prevalent TMD signs and symptoms were TMJ sounds, para-functional habits, facial and jaw pain and pain in movement of the mandible. The most prevalent TMD clinical findings were clicking, impaired TMJ function, impaired range of mandibular movement and TMJ pain. The occlusion derangement was most common in the form of deep bite, crowding and irregularities between teeth. TMD revealed a high incidence among dental students in Aljouf University, KSA, which can be related to the role of stress and occulsal abnormalities in the developing and/or progression of TMD. The findings of this study were giving alarm to identify risk factors associated with TMD in order to establish measures for prevention and treatment.