A cross-sectional study investigating the prevalence and risk factors of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in Chinese medical and dental students.

BACKGROUND

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) rank as the third most prevalent condition in dental clinical practice, with a notably high incidence among college students. Psychological stress has been implicated as a potential risk factor. This study examines the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and risk factors of TMDs in medical and dental students, a population subject to elevated stress levels.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, anonymized web-based survey was administered to medical and dental students at Fujian Medical University in China. The research collected and analyzed demographic and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) characteristics, employing logistic regression to identify significant risk factors contributing to TMDs prevalence.

RESULTS

A total of 1,223 students responded to the survey, with a response rate of 82.7%, including 732 medical students and 491 dental students. The overall prevalence of self-reported TMD symptoms was 49.7% for total students. However, among different symptoms of TMDs, only 'jaw joint noises' prevalence differed between medical (26.9%) and dental (33.2%) students (P = 0.02). Dental students showed higher TMD knowledge and more regular dental check-ups (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the prevalence of headaches varied among clinical medical and dental students based on academic grades (P = 0.04 and P = 0.007, respectively). Risk factors for TMDs included a higher Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)-10 score (P < 0.001), longer sitting time (P = 0.039), and fewer dental visits (P = 0.033).

CONCLUSIONS

High TMD prevalence exists among Chinese medical and dental students. Risk factors include high-stress levels, prolonged sitting, and infrequent dental visits. Anxiety and depression are strongly associated with TMDs.