Estudio piloto para la validación del protocolo diagnóstico de bruxismo en estudiantes de odontología de la Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil.

Abstract

Introduction: Bruxism is a common condition characterized by the repetitive activity of the jaw muscles, manifested by clenching or grinding of the teeth and/or by clenching or thrusting the jaw. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of the bruxism diagnostic protocol in dental students. Materials and Methods: An exploratory, descriptive quali-quantitative study will be conducted to validate a diagnostic protocol for bruxism and gather preliminary information on the feasibility, viability, and effectiveness of a larger study. The study population consisted of 98 patients over 17 years old evaluated at the Dental Clinic - UCSG during the B-2023 period, meeting the established inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: The prevalence of bruxism diagnosed with the protocol was 68.37%, and the appearance validation indicated that 73.47% of the participants had bruxism. The study demonstrated a sensitivity of 93.06%, 100% specificity, and a diagnostic protocol reliability of 95%. Conclusion: The results reveal a high prevalence of bruxism among participants, supported by an appropriate sensitivity and specificity test, and a diagnostic protocol reliability that strengthens its utility as a reliable tool in detecting bruxism in this specific population.