Association between Temporomandibular Disorders and Occupations by Korean Standard Classification of Occupations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate occupational distribution of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) patients and their diagnosis according to occupations and to evaluate the relationship between TMD and occupations. Work-related factors which might aggravate TMD symptoms were also evaluated. Methods: We investigated 316 TMD patients, aged from 13 to 65 years old, who had visited the Department of Oral Medicine in Pusan National University Dental Hospital. The subjects who have a job were assessed using TMD analysis examination and occupation questionnaire. The level of significance was p-value Result: This study presented that the diagnoses according to occupations were not significant, but work-related factors such as verbal work and poor posture were related with TMD symptoms. Conclusions: Proper education is essential to prevent aggravation of TMD symptoms because TMD symptoms were more related to work environment than a specific occupation.