Can temporomandibular disorder symptoms and headaches be prevented in 13‐ to 15‐year‐old girls by information provided in a school setting?

Objective: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) may develop, especially among girls, during the adolescence period. The aim of this study was to study if information and advice in a school setting could prevent development of TMD symptoms and headaches during the early teenage period. Methods: Thirteen‐year‐old girls, at 19 upper elementary schools were invited to participate in a study with structured information about the jaw system, TMD symptoms and risk factors, as well as advice how to manage risk factor and TMD. Six hundred and fifty‐one girls enrolled, of which 507 girls were followed for 2–2.5 years. Half received information on three occasions (cases), and the other half served as controls. Included in the analysis of incidence of TMD symptoms were those without frequently occurring TMD symptoms (not including headaches) at baseline (n = 396) and included in the analysis of incidence of headaches were those without frequent headaches at baseline (n = 297). Result: The 2‐year incidence of TMD symptoms was significantly lower in the information cohort (19%) compared to the controls (28%) (p =.03). The 2‐year incidence of headaches was lower among those who were allocated to information (30%) compared to controls (40%), but the difference was not statistically significant (p =.099). Cases who had headaches at baseline reported a significantly lower prevalence at follow‐up compared to controls (p =.03). Conclusion: Standardized information in school settings can prevent development of TMD symptoms and headaches among young girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]