Prevalence of craniomandibular disorders in adults of Ilala District, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania

Summary The prevalence and distribution of signs and symptoms of craniomandibular disorders (CMD) were studied in a random sample of 100 adult Tanzanians. The associations between subjective and objective findings were analysed. Signs and symptoms of CMD were assessed by interview and clinical examination. Twenty‐six per cent of subjects reported at least one symptom, and in 40% at least one clinical sign was present. No significant differences were observed between the sexes. Tenderness of the lateral pterygoid area and crepitation of the temporomandibular joint increased significantly with age. Several significant associations between subjective and objective findings were observed. The distribution of the signs and symptoms of CMD in Tanzanians was not dissimilar to that observed in the developed countries. The prevalence was not high by comparison, but sufficient to lend credence to the general view that CMD is a universal problem.