Parafunctional habits and attitude to oral health reported by students attending public middle schools in the South of Italy

Authors

  • ME Bizzoca Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia
  • F Buttacavoli Department of Precision Medicine in Medical, Surgical and Critical Care (Me.Pre.C.C.), University of Palermo, Italy - Oral Medicine and Dentistry for Fragile Patients Unit, Department of Rehabilitation, Fragility, and Continuity of Care, University Hospital of Palermo
  • M Bazzano Department of Precision Medicine in Medical, Surgical and Critical Care (Me.Pre.C.C.), University of Palermo
  • D Montemaggiore Department of Precision Medicine in Medical, Surgical and Critical Care (Me.Pre.C.C.), University of Palermo
  • G Giuliana Department of Precision Medicine in Medical, Surgical and Critical Care (Me.Pre.C.C.), University of Palermo, Italy - Pediatric Oral Pathology Diagnostic and Treatment Unit, Department of Rehabilitation, Fragility, and Continuity of Care, University Hospital of Palermo
  • V Panzarella Department of Precision Medicine in Medical, Surgical and Critical Care (Me.Pre.C.C.), University of Palermo
  • M Coppini Department of Precision Medicine in Medical, Surgical and Critical Care (Me.Pre.C.C.), University of Palermo, Italy - Oral Medicine and Dentistry for Fragile Patients Unit, Department of Rehabilitation, Fragility, and Continuity of Care, University Hospital of Palermo
  • M Attanasio Department of Economics, Business and Statistics, University of Palermo
  • G Campisi Oral Medicine and Dentistry for Fragile Patients Unit, Department of Rehabilitation, Fragility, and Continuity of Care, University Hospital of Palermo, Italy - Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and advanced Diagnostics (BIND), University of Palermo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2025.2339

Keywords:

Children, Adolescent, Temporomandibular joint, Temporomandibular joint disorders, Oral parafunctional habit

Abstract

AIM: This study aimed to assess the frequency of parafunctional habits and self-reported temporomandibular joint (TMJ) symptoms in middle school Sicilian students (Southern Italy), their attitude to oral health, and their eventual associations with some demographical variables. CONCLUSION: Parafunctional oral habits were identified as highly frequent, exerting considerable impact on oral health; a gender-specific frequency was observed. Dental practitioners should include the screening of TMDs in their routine dental examinations; caregivers and teachers should encourage correct oral behaviours in children and adolescents.

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