Temporomandibular dysfunction and anxiety among dental students

Abstract

Introduction: The etiology of temporomandibular dysfunction is multifactorial, and causal factors include psychological conditions such as anxiety. Objective: Identify the prevalence of temporomandibular dysfunction and anxiety as well as their levels among dental students from the Federal University of Campina Grande. Methods: An inductive cross-sectional observational study was conducted of a sample of 185 dental students from the Federal University of Campina Grande. Data collection was based on Fonseca's anamnesis index and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and subjected to the chi-square statistical test and Fisher's exact test, with a significance level of 5 %. Results: Results show that most of the sample was female (67 %) with a mean age of 21.4 years. On the other hand, 79 % of the students had some degree of dysfunction, which was mild in most (72 %). Anxiety state and anxiety trait were more prevalent on the moderate level with 79 % and 72 % respectively. No significant statistical association was identified in the study sample between the presence and absence of temporomandibular dysfunction and anxiety, be it trait or state, with values of p= 0.484 and p= 0.297 respectively. Conclusions: High statistical prevalence was found of temporomandibular dysfunction and anxiety among dental students, hence the importance of a detailed search for those signs and symptoms during clinical examination.

Keywords

• ansiedade
• articulação temporomandibular
• prevalência.