Association between anxiety and temporomandibular disorders assessed by Fonseca Index in Peruvian schoolchildren: a cross-sectional study.

Anxiety and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) have been increasingly recognized as interrelated conditions, particularly in pediatric and adolescent populations, where psychosocial factors may influence musculoskeletal function. However, evidence on this association in school-aged populations remains limited in the Peruvian context. This study aimed to evaluate the association between anxiety and temporomandibular disorders assessed by the Fonseca Index in Peruvian secondary school students. A quantitative, observational, cross-sectional, and non-experimental study with a correlational scope was conducted in a private educational institution. A non-probabilistic convenience sample of 92 secondary school students was included from a total population of 120. Eligible participants were students enrolled in secondary education who provided assent and whose parents or legal guardians provided informed consent. Data were collected using the Fonseca Anamnestic Index to assess temporomandibular disorders and the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale to evaluate anxiety levels. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and the association between variables was analyzed using the chi-square (X²) test, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Moderate anxiety was observed in 16.3% of participants, while mild temporomandibular disorders were identified in 40.2%. A statistically significant association was found between anxiety levels and temporomandibular disorders according to the Fonseca Index (X², p < 0.05). These findings indicate that anxiety is associated with the presence of temporomandibular disorders in secondary school students, underscoring the importance of incorporating psychosocial assessment into preventive and clinical dental care for school-aged populations.