BackgroundVitamin D has been reported to maintain bone health and its deficiency has been found to be linked with many musculoskeletal disorders including temporomandibular dysfunction. Vitamin D exerts its biological effect via an intracellular receptor protein encoded by vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) by controlling the expression of various target genes. Several genetic variants of vitamin D receptor gene in the form of SNP's have been found to be associated with TMJ-ID (temporomandibular joint internal derangement). The aim of the present study was to determine intron 8 Bsm I (rs1544410) VDR gene polymorphism in association with TMJ-ID in Kashmiri population. MethodsDNA was isolated from106 (patient + control) Kashmiri subjects and VDR genotyping for BsmI was performed by RFLP and DNA sequencing. ResultsBsm I polymorphism was significantly higher for mutant genotype/allele in patients than controls with OR = 4.1 and p = 0.0015. The allelic and genotypic frequencies of Bsm I was significantly associated with TMJ-ID development. ConclusionIntron 8 Bsm I (rs1544410) VDR polymorphism was identified as susceptible region for TMJ-ID development in the Kashmiri population.