ABSTRACT
The Research diagnostic criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders [RDC/TMD] is a tool used by International RDC/TMD Consortium [A Designated Network of the International Association for Dental Research], to diagnose and categorize TMD patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of TMD in undergraduate dental and medical students based on RDC/TMD; and its relation with depression and somatization. 37 male and 48 female dental and medical students from FMH College of Medicine and Dentistry, Lahore, Pakistan were evaluated. A clinical physical diagnosis [Axis I] and pain related disability and psychological status [Axis II] were assessed using a questionnaire and clinical examination on RDC/TMD protocol. Seventeen students diagnosed with TMD showed significantly higher incidence in females [p=0.003]. Maximum number of TMD was in internal derangement group, followed by pathosis and muscle disorder groups. Significantly higher TMD incidence was noted in; participants [p = 0.00, Likelihood ratio = 10.80] with Axis II than those without Axis II. Significant TMD participants showed somatization than those without TMD [p = 0.000, Likelihood ratio = 12.04]. A comparatively lower incidence of TMD in young adults, with much higher prevalence in females was found. Disc displacement was the commonest Axis I diagnosis. TMD patients showed greater RDC/TMD Axis II