ABSTRACT
The objectives of this study were to test the hypothesis that self-reported TMJ clicking sounds in adolescents are positively associated with non-specific somatic symptoms, self-perception of body image and care-seeking behaviour. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 353 young adolescents (48·4% females) recruited from community (N = 272) and orthodontic clinic (N = 81) settings. Assessments included self-reported TMJ clicking, non-specific physical symptoms, body image concerns and for the clinic sample only, the source of motivation for treatment. TMJ sounds were self-reported by 19% of the sample and were associated with higher scores for non-specific physical symptoms and body image concerns (P < 0·001). Adolescents who were self-motivated to seek orthodontic treatment had greater scores for non-specific physical symptoms, more body image concerns and tended to report TMJ sounds more often (26·3% and 7·7% respectively; P = 0·41) than those who were solely parent/family-motivated to seek treatment. Self-reported TMJ sounds in adolescents were associated with a propensity to somatisation and concerns with body image. Care-seeking adolescents have greater non-specific physical symptoms and body image concerns and tend to report more frequent TMJ sounds.
Subject(s)
Auscultation/psychology , Dental Occlusion, Centric , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/psychology , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Self Report , Somatoform Disorders/psychology , Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/psychology , Adolescent , Body Image/psychology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Incidence , Male , New Zealand , Propensity Score , Self Concept , Somatoform Disorders/diagnosis , Somatoform Disorders/physiopathology , Temporomandibular Joint/physiopathology , Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/complications , Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/diagnosis , Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/physiopathologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To determine whether malocclusion is associated with oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in New Zealand adolescents. METHODS: Data from two cross-sectional epidemiological studies of adolescents in Taranaki and Otago were used. Each participant completed a self-administered questionnaire and underwent a clinical examination. Information collected included sociodemographic characteristics (sex, ethnicity and household deprivation), and clinical measures (caries and malocclusion, the latter measured with the Dental Aesthetic Index, or DAI). OHRQoL was measured using the validated 16-item impact short-form Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ11-14). Linear regression was used to model the CPQ11-14 score. RESULTS: 783 adolescents (52.6% male) took part. One-fifth had a handicapping malocclusion and one-third had a minor malocclusion or none. The overall mean DMFS was 2.3 (SD, 3.8), with slightly more than 50% being caries-free. With the exception of the oral symptoms domain, females presented with higher mean CPQ11-14 and domain scores, while Mãori had lower scores. There was a distinct gradient in mean CPQ11-14 and domain scores across the categories of malocclusion severity, whereby those in the 'handicapping' category of the DAI had the highest CPQ11-14 score. Linear regression modeling of the CPQ11-14 score showed that, after controlling for DMFS and socio-demographic characteristics, malocclusion category and being female were positively associated with higher CPQ11-14 scores. CONCLUSION: A severe malocclusion appears to have a negative impact on the OHRQoL of New Zealand adolescents.
