Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders prevalence and awareness of appropriate clinical practices, among Al-Madinah community in Saudi Arabia

Background: Painful temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) are of musculoskeletal origin and are considered the most common cause of non-odontogenic pain in the orofacial region. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and awareness of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders in Almadinah Almunawwarah community. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study with convenience sampling was conducted. A translated Arabic version of Fonseca's questionnaire was employed. The questionnaire asked about the participant's personal information, if they thought they had TMDs, and who to visit for therapy if necessary. These were followed by 10 items from Fonseca's questionnaire, each with a three-point scale. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 598 people. Females made up 57.1% of the participants. TMDs were present in 61% of the population, with varying degrees of severity. Males (44.3%) were less affected than females (55.7%). The difference, however, was not statistically significant (P = 0.354). Out of the 61% TMDs Positive patients, 74.1% had mild TMDs symptoms, while 20.8% and 5.1%, respectively, had moderate and severe TMDs symptoms (P = 0.05). The severity of the symptoms was unaffected by demographic data (P > 0.05). Only 40% seek care, with 64.6% selecting for a dentist and 24.6% preferring for an orthopaedic specialist (P= 0.008). Conclusions: Participants from Al-Madinah had a greater prevalence of mild TMDs. The majority of the participants had no idea who to go to for treatment. The findings of this study highlight the importance of educational activities to enhance public awareness. Fonseca's Anamnestic Index could also be considered as a useful instrument for early identification and measuring the severity of TMDs in the general population.