Prevalence of bruxism and temporomandibular disorders among orphans in southeast Uganda: A gender and age comparison

Abstract

Objectives: The aims of the current study were: (1) to assess the prevalence of oral habits, bruxism, and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) among children living in Uganda; (2) to establish whether parafunctional activities are associated with TMDs; and (3) to examine the possible impact of gender and age on the prevalence of bruxism, oral habits, and TMDs.

Methods: This study included 153 children aged 6–17 years. The study consisted of a questionnaire and a clinical examination.

Results: TMDs were moderately prevalent (35%). Parafunctional habits were performed by 93% of the participants. When performed extensively, they were significantly related to myalgia. No gender or age significant differences were found.

Conclusions: 1. Only extensive masticatory parafunctional oral activity is significantly related to myalgia. 2. Gender and age had no impact on the prevalence of bruxism, oral habits, or TMDs. 3. Sleep and awake bruxism were not related to anamnestic symptoms or clinical findings in TMD.

Keywords:

• Bruxism
• orphans
• parafunctional (oral) habits, stressful life events
• temporomandibular disorders

Acknowledgments

The study was self-funded by the authors. All authors made a significant contribution to the findings and methods. All authors approved the final draft of the manuscript. None of the authors had any financial support or relationships that posed a conflict of interest. This cross sectional cohort study was in adherence to Declaration of Helsinki. The Tel Aviv University Ethics Committee on human subject research approved the study. The orphanage director and legal guardian of the children residing in Bussi Island Children’s Home signed an informed consent approval form beforehand. In addition, an informed consent form explaining the purpose of this study was attached to the questionnaire, and it was returned signed by the children or the local guardian after receiving verbal consent from the child (when the child could not read independently).