Prevalence of bruxism and temporomandibular disorders among orphans in southeast Uganda: A gender and age comparison.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the current study were: (1) to assess the prevalence of oral habits, bruxism, and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) among children living in Uganda; (2) to establish whether parafunctional activities are associated with TMDs; and (3) to examine the possible impact of gender and age on the prevalence of bruxism, oral habits, and TMDs. METHODS: This study included 153 children aged 6-17 years. The study consisted of a questionnaire and a clinical examination. RESULTS: TMDs were moderately prevalent (35%). Parafunctional habits were performed by 93% of the participants. When performed extensively, they were significantly related to myalgia. No gender or age significant differences were found. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Only extensive masticatory parafunctional oral activity is significantly related to myalgia. 2. Gender and age had no impact on the prevalence of bruxism, oral habits, or TMDs. 3. Sleep and awake bruxism were not related to anamnestic symptoms or clinical findings in TMD.

Dental Treatment Needs among Children and Adolescents Residing in an Ugandan Orphanage.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies focused on the dental caries status of East African children and not on their overall dental needs. Urban children consume more sugar-rich foods. OBJECTIVES: To assess overall dental treatment needs of children living in an orphanage in Uganda. STUDY DESIGN: Teeth were diagnosed as needing treatment by obvious frank carious lesions (WHO criteria), temporary fillings, staining, or very deep pit and/or fissures possibly requiring sealants. Calculus or crowding in the mandibular anterior region and evidence of tooth fractures were recorded, as were signs of wear on the mandibular molars and canines and the maxillary incisors. RESULTS: Most of the primary teeth (64%) required no dental treatment, but almost all (98%) of the permanent teeth did. A mean (±standard deviation) of 4.81±1.92 permanent teeth required treatment. The mean number of missing teeth was 0.47. Thirty-one children (20.2%) had crowding, 52 (34%) had calculus, and 49 (32%) had signs of attrition on primary and permanent molar teeth (45 enamel only and 4 enamel and dentin). CONCLUSIONS: Most of the primary teeth required no dental treatment, while the vast majority of permanent teeth did, possibly in association with high sugar cane consumption and poor brushing habits among older children.