BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Orofacial pain is receiving more public health attention due to its increasing incidence, the involvement of increasingly younger age groups, its possible association to mental health and its implications on the quality of life of affected patients. This research aimed at evaluating the prevalence of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD) and of different levels of anxiety among students of Biological Sciences, Physical Education, Nursing, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Dentistry and Psychology of the State University of Paraíba. METHOD: Transversal study with inductive approach and descriptive and inferential statistical analysis involving 336 college students. Data were collected by the Anamnesis Index and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (IDATE). Pearson's Chi-square and Fisher Exact tests were used with a confidence interval of 95%. RESULTS: TMJD was mild in 48.2% of individuals, moderate in 11.3% and severe in 3%. TMJD was more frequent among single individuals, females and those between 18 and 22 years of age, with emotional stress symptoms. Physical therapy students had a significantly higher need for TMJD treatment and the highest levels of anxiety. CONCLUSION: There has been a high incidence of TMJD among college students of different courses, with higher prevalence among Physical Therapy students.
Anxiety; Health Sciences students; Prevalence; Temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome
