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.
Keywords: Bruxism; orphans; parafunctional (oral) habits, stressful life events; temporomandibular disorders.