Use of the Fonseca's questionnaire to assess the prevalence and severity of temporomandibular disorders in brazilian dental undergraduates

TLDR

The study aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of temporomandibular disorders among 218 Brazilian dental undergraduates using Fonseca’s questionnaire. Data were collected from 218 students (96 men, 122 women, mean age 20) via Fonseca’s questionnaire and prevalence was calculated from the frequency distribution. Among participants, 53.2 % had TMD (35.8 % mild, 11.9 % moderate, 5.5 % severe); women were more affected (63.1 % vs 40.6 % in men) and were nine times more likely to have severe TMD, with most reporting tension, bruxism, joint clicking, headaches, and neck pain, highlighting the need for early diagnosis in young adults.

Abstract

This study to assessed the prevalence of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) by means of the frequency distribution of data for 218 dentistry students from a Brazilian public university using the Fonseca's questionnaire. The group consisted of 96 men and 122 women, with an average age of 20 years. Of the students, 53.21% showed some level of TMD: 35.78% mild TMD 11.93% moderate and 5.5% severe. Women were the most affected group, with 63.11% showing some level of TMD, against 40.62% of men. When considering only severe TMD, women are approximately 9 times more affected than men. Students with any level of TMD showed marked characteristics: 76.72% considered themselves tense people; 71.55% reported to clench or grind their teeth; 65.52% reported clicking of the temporomandibular joint; 64.66% reported frequent headache and 61.21% neck pain. In conclusion, clinical signs and symptoms of TMD can occur in young population and this information is of great importance for the early diagnosis of the dysfunction.