Self-reported symptoms of temporomandibular pain and jaw dysfunction in adolescents are associated with exposure to violence.

Background: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are multifactorial, and high levels of stress seem to increase symptoms. The association with exposure to violence has not been explored in adolescent populations.

Objective: To examine the association of self-reported symptoms of temporomandibular pain and jaw dysfunction with child physical abuse, intimate partner violence, forced sexual intercourse, and bullying victimisation.

Methods: An epidemiological, cross-sectional, school-based study was conducted in Olinda, northeast Brazil. The sample comprised 2,431 adolescents aged 14-19 years. TMD-related symptoms and exposure to violence were assessed with questions from the 3Q/TMD screener and queries on exposure to different forms of violence. Multilevel logistic regressions were conducted to evaluate how 3Q screen-positive responses are associated with self-reported exposure to violence.

Results: Self-reported TMD-related symptoms had a prevalence of 40.5%. Significantly more females than males screened positive to all 3Q/TMD questions (p < .001). Adolescents experiencing intimate partner violence (p = .012) and bullying (p < .001) had significantly higher odds of 3Q positive responses than those who reported no exposure to violence. Significant associations of TMD-related symptoms with forced sexual intercourse (p = .014) and with bullying (p = .007) were observed.

Conclusion: Adolescents with self-reported symptoms of temporomandibular pain and jaw dysfunction were significantly more often exposed to some type of violence. The number of adolescents reporting TMD-related symptoms increased in a dose-response manner with the number of violence forms the individual had experienced.