TMD disorders among dental students

Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) are a complex and poorly understood set of conditions characterized by pain in the temporomandibular joint and surrounding tissues and limitation in jaw movements. Objective: The aims of this study were to assess the incidence of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and dysfunction among the dental students It consisted of a cross-sectional study at Goce Delcev University. Material and Methods. The study population comprised 54 dental students, from the last three years of studying. The main criterion in selection of the surveyed population was the consent of the students to participate in the research. The clinical examination involved TMJ mobility, TMJ pain, TMJ sounds, morphological and functional dental occlusion. Results: According to the criteria of TMD, the prevalence of TMD among the study participants was 9.8 %, with no statistically significant difference betweenthe two genders. Most of the subjects complains on TMJ sounds (10, 6%) and clinically registered TMJ pain (7.4%). According to the self-reported complaining 7.2% of the subjects responded positively. Only 9 ,4% from the subjects with some orthodontic anomalies showed TMD signs or symptoms Conclusion: The prevalence of TMD among dental students is high (near to ten percent), and it is simmular for girls and boys. Dental occlusion was not rejected as a possible concurrent factor in relation to TMJ pain and/or dysfunction among university students. Keywords dental students, prevalence, temporomandibular disorders, TMD, TMD pai