The prevalence of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction in academics of a university center: association of emotional frameworks

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recent research has shown that undergraduate students are more susceptible to stressful situations due to the need to exercise various skills, and that this factor is a potential trigger for temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) syndrome. In view of this, there is a need to highlight, through scientific studies, the fact that young students may be more vulnerable to the development of anxiety and stress, which is also associated with the incidence and/or development of bruxism and TMD. The present study’s objective was to describe the intensity of symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress and to characterize the presence and severity of TMD symptoms in dentistry students. METHODS: The sample consisted of 118 students. All of them completed the Índice Anamnésico de Fonseca (Fonseca Anamnesis Index - IAF) questionnaire and the shortened version of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), which provide relevant information about the sample under investigation and allowed us to acquire epidemiological data about TMD symptoms, associated risk sources and repercussions on quality of life. The data was tabulated and categorized. Descriptive statistical analysis and linear association between the scales are presented. RESULTS: In response to the DASS-21, the three subscales showed that 51% of the individuals had some level of depression, 54% some degree of stress and 61% some level of anxiety. The presence of TMD symptoms was present in 67% of the sample. There was a linear association between the intensity of symptoms of the three subscales of the DASS-21 and the severity of symptoms according to the IAF. CONCLUSION: The information and results obtained in this study revealed a prevalence of signs of anxiety and TMD symptoms in dentistry students.