Use of Fonseca’s Questionnaire to assess the prevalence and severity of Temporomandibular disorders among university students - a cross sectional study

Prashantha G Shivamurthy,Meghana Mb,Sharanya Sabrish,Heba Azhar,Nutan Kumari,Ashfiya Sadaf

doi:10.5195/d3000.2022.178

Prashantha G Shivamurthy, Meghana Mb + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5195/d3000.2022.178

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Abstract

Aim: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are one of the main causes of non-dental orofacial pain. It has been reported that TMD occurred more frequently among individuals in stressful situations and that university students are more likely to have a high risk of anxiety related disorders. This study aims to assess the prevalence and severity of TMD in undiagnosed population consisting of students of different faculties in a university campus in Bengaluru using the Fonseca’s questionnaire.Material and Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at a University Campus, Bengaluru. Completed forms of Fonseca’s questionnaire were collected from the sample consisted of 300 students. The questionnaire had two main parts. First part collected demographic information and past relevant histories. Second part had Fonseca’s 10 questions. The TMD severity was categorized as no TMD (0-15), mild TMD (20-40), moderate TMD (45-65) and severe TMD (70-100).Results: 33.3% on the sample showed varying signs of TMD. There was no statistically significant differences found between the TMD and non TMD groups with respect to age and sex. But when comparing varying grades of TMD there was a statistically highly significant difference seen in relation to age of the subjects.Conclusions:A high prevalence of TMD was found in the university students with majority of the cases having milder signs of TMD.

Highlights

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are one of the main causes of non-dental orofacial pain
The pain is generally located on the masticatory muscles, in the preauricular area and the temporomandibular joint (TMJs).[1]
In this study we have evaluated, using the Fonseca’s questionnaire, the prevalence and severity of TMD in undiagnosed Indian population consisting of students of different faculties in a university campus

Summary

Introduction

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are one of the main causes of non-dental orofacial pain. The term temporomandibular disorders is a collective term which includes all the problems involving painful orofacial disorders, complaints of pain in TMJ region and fatigue of the craniocervicofacial muscles, especially masticatory muscles, limitation of mandible movement, and presence of articular clicking.[2]. Many factors such as oral habits, fatigued masticatory muscles and premature loss of natural teeth have been linked to the disorder.[3]. Previous studies of various populations have reported a high prevalence of TMD.[5]. The variability in prevalence may be attributed to differences in the race of the population, in the sampling design and criteria, and in the methods used for collecting information.[7]

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