Affiliation:
1. College of Dental Medicine – Illinois Midwestern University Downers Grove Illinois USA
2. Physical Therapy Program Midwestern University Downers Grove Illinois USA
3. Division of TMD and Orofacial Pain University of Minnesota School of Dentistry Minneapolis Minnesota USA
4. Minnesota Head and Neck Pain Clinic Plymouth Minnesota USA
Abstract
AbstractObjectivesTemporomandibular disorders (TMD) affect individuals undergoing increased stress, for example, dental professionals. No study to date has compared dental students and faculty in TMD manifestation. This cross‐sectional study compared prevalence, risk factors, and impact on daily activities of self‐reported TMD signs/symptoms between dental students and faculty at a predoctoral dental school, and between preclinical (first‐ to second‐year) and clinical (third‐ to fourth‐year) students.MethodsA REDCap survey was sent to dental students and faculty, assessing TMD signs/symptoms (TMD Symptom Questionnaire), pain intensity (Chronic Graded Pain Scale), jaw function (Jaw Function Limitation Scale), parafunctions (Oral Behavioral Checklist), previous TMD treatments, anxiety/depression symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale), and sleep quality (RU‐SATED Scale). Outcomes were compared between groups using chi‐square and t‐tests, adjusting for covariates with analyses of covariance (ANCOVA).ResultsData derived from N = 145 participants (N = 108 students, N = 37 faculty). Dental students reported significantly higher prevalence (90.1% vs. 75.7%, p = 0.020) and greater number of TMD signs/symptoms (5.3 ± 3.5 vs. 3.0 ± 2.7, p < 0.001) compared to faculty. Students reported significantly more parafunctional activities (p = 0.000), jaw‐strain episodes (prolonged mouth opening, p = 0.007), higher stress level (p = 0.008), and lower sleep quality (p = 0.002) than faculty. Difference in number of TMD signs/symptoms was maintained after adjusting for stress, sleep quality, and parafunctional/jaw‐strain activities. Clinical students utilized significantly more often evidence‐based TMD treatment compared to preclinical students.ConclusionsHigh prevalence of self‐reported TMD was observed among dental students and faculty, with students reporting higher prevalence and impairment despite working in the same environment. Findings underscore the importance of education on preventive measures early in dental training to address contributing factors and TMD management.