A vacina do COVID-19 interfere no sistema mastigatório e na qualidade de vida dos estudantes de odontologia?

Abstract

This study aims to assess the relationship between temporomandibular dysfunction and COVID-19 vaccination, investigating the vaccine's impact on the quality of life of dentistry students, the correlation between post-COVID-19 oral and psychosocial manifestations, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction. The study was conducted on dental students at UFJF - Governador Valadares campus during a single consultation. Sociodemographic data, reports of oral manifestations after vaccination, and a questionnaire on the impact of oral health on quality of life were collected. A clinical examination for TMD diagnosis was performed by a single trained and calibrated operator. The data were organized and analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA), with descriptive analysis of variables. Results showed a weak positive correlation (Tau-b = 0.154) between the number of vaccine doses and poorer quality of life (OIDP). The study also demonstrated that the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses is related to nonspecific TMD symptoms (p = 0.039) and left-sided TMJ disorders (p = 0.041). The last vaccine dose is also related to left-sided TMJ disorder (p = 0.049). COVID-19 vaccination among students was associated with a decrease in self-reported quality of life, linked to left-sided TMJ disorders depending on the number of doses and time since the last application. No significant relationships were observed between vaccination and oral manifestations. The research highlights the influence of oral health on quality of life, revealing high levels of anxiety and depression, indicating the pandemic's negative impact on psychosocial conditions. While promising, these initial results underscore the need for longitudinal studies with larger and more diverse age-group samples for a more comprehensive understanding.