# Temporomandibular Disorder in Domestic Waste Collectors: Cross‐Sectional Study

## TL;DR

This study finds that nearly half of domestic waste collectors experience temporomandibular disorder, linked to factors like stress and alcohol use, but not directly to their work.

## Contribution

The study is the first to assess temporomandibular disorder (TMD) prevalence and risk factors specifically among domestic waste collectors.

## Key findings

- Moderate/severe TMD was associated with alcohol dependence in the overall sample and operational workers.
- Mild TMD was linked to age, psychosocial factors, and parafunctional habits in operational workers.
- TMD prevalence was 47% among domestic waste collectors, but no direct association with their work was found.

## Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorders are prevalent among waste collectors, yet the temporomandibular disorder (TMD) assessment within this group remains overlooked.

This cross‐sectional study examined TMD in domestic waste collectors and its association with their work.

The study involved 288 adult men from a waste collection corporation, with 130 working in domestic solid waste collection (operational workers) and 158 in other roles (controls). TMD severity was assessed through inquiries about signs and symptoms. Missing teeth were clinically evaluated. Socio‐demographic data, employment history, psychosocial factors, and severity of TMD were collected using a questionnaire.

TMD was diagnosed in 47% of the operational workers, and the most reported TMD factors were self‐perception of being a tense person (52.3%) and parafunctional habits (40.0%). In the whole sample, moderate/severe TMD was associated with alcohol dependence (OR = 3.51, 95% CI = 1.10–11.25, p = 0.03), and mild TMD was associated with parafunctional habits (OR = 3.36, 95% CI = 1.99–5.67, p < 0.001) and psychosocial factors (OR = 3.68, 95% CI = 2.17–6.25, p < 0.001). In operational workers, moderate/severe TMD was associated with alcohol dependence (OR = 4.84, 95% CI = 1.00–23.81, p = 0.05), and mild TMD was associated with age (OR = 2.60, 95% CI = 1.02–6.70, p = 0.05), psychosocial (OR = 4.41, 95% CI = 1.76–11.05, p = 0.002) and parafunctional (OR = 5.14, 95% CI = 2.17–12.19, p < 0.001) factors.

In this sample of domestic waste collectors, moderate to severe TMD correlated with alcohol dependence, whereas mild TMD showed associations with age, psychosocial factors, and parafunctional habits. However, TMD did not exhibit a direct association with domestic waste‐collecting work. Thus, addressing physical and mental health concerns within this occupational cohort may enhance overall well‐being.