Citation Information :
Alfawzan AA. An Assessment of the Prevalence and Severity of Temporomandibular Disorders among Undergraduate Dental Students at Qassim University. World J Dent 2020; 11 (2):134-138.
Aim: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) represent disorders causing abnormality and impairment in the functionality of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and severity of TMDs among the dental students of Qassim University using a Fonseca's questionnaire. Material and methods: The Fonseca's questionnaire was distributed through university email to undergraduate dental students in Qassim University, and participants were briefed about the procedure for completing it. The questionnaire contained 10 questions that were related to the signs and symptoms of TMD. The subjects were instructed to answer each question with “yes,” “no,” or “sometimes.” Scores were given, and the value was used to calculate the severity of TMD. Results: The study showed that out of 200 students, 110 students (55%) were found to have no TMD. Regarding the presence of TMD, about 45% of the students were found to have signs and symptoms, in which 33% had mild TMD, 5% had moderate TMD, and 7% had severe TMD. The number of students who reported mild types of TMD (33%) was significantly higher than those who reported moderate or severe types of TMD. Regarding the correlation of gender to the presence of TMD, 52% of female students showed some degree of TMD vs 42% of the male students. Conclusion: The present study shows that a mild-to-moderate prevalence of TMD appears to be evident among the dental students of Qassim University. Future research should, however, focus on longitudinal studies to identify and follow-up with TMD patients. Clinical significance: This study highlighted the importance for the early diagnosis of the TMD and its relation to stress.
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