.

ISSN 2063-5346
For urgent queries please contact : +918130348310

KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS AMONG DENTAL STUDENTS REGARDING SMARTPHONE USAGE AS A RISK FACTOR FOR TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Main Article Content

Dhakshinya. M, Dr. M.P. Santhosh Kumar2
» doi: 10.31838/ecb/2023.12.s2.174

Abstract

Objectives: The signs of smartphone addiction can be roughly divided into two groups: psychosocial disorders, such as sleep problems, agitation or depression, dropping out of school, and antisocial personality disorder; and physiological disorders, such as dry eyes, carpal tunnel syndrome, musculoskeletal issues, and migraine headaches. The aim of this study was to describe the impact of smartphone addiction on cervical posture and function as well as TMDs in adolescents. Materials and Methods: A longitudinal cross-sectional survey had 200 dental students. A self-administered, closed-ended questionnaire was created and distributed to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of dental students regarding the smartphone usage as a risk factor for temporomandibular joint disorders. The statistical analysis was made through IBM SPSS software version 23 and results were obtained. Statistical significance was analyzed. Results: 87% of the total population was not aware that usage of smartphones is indirectly related to TMJ disorders. Majority of the participants replied that males are more commonly affected with TMJ disorders than females i.e 58%. 0.5% of final years and 9% of interns have said maybe over usage of smartphones can cause craniocervical disorders. Only 12% of the females were aware that all of the mentioned disorders come under craniocervical disorders such as TMJ dysfunction, misaligned teeth and MPDS. 3.5% of 2nd years and 3rd years, 2% of final years and 7.5% of interns have said MPDS. However, measurement using an inclinometer showed that the youths who were smartphone addicts had a cervical posture that was significantly flexed and a reduced cervical range of motion. Muscular difficulties were more frequently seen in smartphone addicts, according to the clinical profile of temporomandibular disorders. Conclusion: The awareness and knowledge about smartphone usage as a risk factor for Temporomandibular disorders were moderate. Our study helped in creating awareness about the interlink between smartphone usage and temporomandibular joint disorders. Males had more awareness about the influence of over usage of smartphones on TMD’s which was 10% but females were unaware. The negative consequences of smartphone use on MD, bruxism, and daily drowsiness are significant. Concerns have been raised about their impact on the expense of healthcare and public health.

Article Details