Prevalence of Temporomandibular Disorder-Related Pain among Adults Seeking Dental Care: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a constellation of painful conditions that affect the craniofacial complex. The etiology and risk factors of these conditions have been extensively studied; however, the data available describing the epidemiology of TMD in the Middle East are scarce. We aimed to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of TMD-related pain in a sample population of dental school clinic patients. Methods. This observational cross-sectional study used a translated and culturally adapted temporomandibular disorders pain screener, a part of the Diagnostic Criteria/Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) criteria instrument, and questions related to demographic characteristics and risk factors for TMD. Data were analyzed through chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests using SPSS. Results. The sample population included 199 participants (66% female and 34% male). The prevalence of TMD-related pain was 26.8% (n = 42); men and women did not differ statistically in their TMD-related pain. TMD-related pain cases differed significantly on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and body pain scores compared with noncases. Conclusion. The prevalence of TMD-related pain in the clinical sample population was high. Hence, the onus is on dental health services to screen and educate patients on TMD conditions regularly.

Automated summary

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of TMD-related pain in a sample population of dental school clinic patients. The results showed a high prevalence of TMD-related pain in the clinical sample population, with no difference between men and women. TMD-related pain cases differed significantly in terms of depression levels and body pain scores compared to non-cases.