Oral health-related quality of life and psychological states of dental students with temporomandibular disorders.

Abstract

This study investigates the frequency of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in dental students, and evaluates the association between TMDs, psychological states, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). The presence of bruxism was also determined. Two hundred ninety-three dental students completed the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R) and Oral Health Impact Profile 14 (OHIP-14) questionnaires and underwent a clinical examination according to Diagnostic Criteria for TMDs. TMDs were detected in 46.4% of the dental students. OHIP-14 scores of students with TMDs were significantly higher than scores for students without TMDs (p<0.05). Significant differences were observed in all SCL-90-R scores among students with and without TMDs, except for phobic anxiety and additional SCL-90-R subscale scores (p<0.05). The prevalence of myalgia was significantly higher in clinical students (26.6%) than in preclinical students (15.6%). OHIP-14 scores of clinical students were significantly higher than preclinical students (p<0.05). In dental students, there was a high frequency of TMDs and bruxism. OHRQoL was poorer in clinical students. Levels of anxiety, depression, and somatization were not different in clinical and preclinical students. SCL-90-R scores are higher in students with TMDs except for phobic anxiety and additional SCL-90-R subscale scores.