Introduction: Temporomandibular disorders TMDs are very common disorders affecting the population and causing pain. Researches have reported a high prevalence of TMDs among university students due to increased distress.

Aim: To determine the frequency of TMDs in Umm al-Qura University UQU dental students using Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD). Also, to examine the relationship between anxiety, bruxism, and TMDs among those students.

Methods: RDC / TMD pain screener questionnaire was completed by dental students. Students who reported TMD pain or had at least one positive TMD symptom were invited to the dental clinic for a full TMJ evaluation. History of bruxism was documented and an ultra-brief tool for detecting anxiety and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-4 PHQ) was completed by all students.

Results: A total of 240 students responded to the TMJ pain screener in which 119 reported at least one TMJ symptom. Only 93 dental students presented to clinical examination in which 64.5% (n=60) of them had temporomandibular joint disorders. Disc displacement with reduction and local myalgia (38.7 % & 32.25% respectively) were the most frequent diagnosis. A total of 29%(n=27) of students had more than one diagnosis. Forty-one participants (44.09 %) reported a positive response to the anxiety scale and (n=38) 40% of participants reported parafunctional habit. Both the history of bruxism and anxiety were significantly related to TMDs (P=0.0002) and also significantly higher in females of higher academic years(P ≤0.01).

Conclusion: High prevalence of TMDs among UQU dental students. Disc displacement with reduction was the most prevalent disorder. Bruxism and anxiety were associated with painful TMDs

Data were collected through paper quetionnair and through interview and clinical exam of the participants. all collcted data were entered in an Excel sheet.The data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, Version 22, and SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA), student T-test and chi-square analysis were used to relate the existence of TMD problem to age, gender, academic year, history of bruxism and anxiety level. Also, to compare the anxiety scores among male and female groups. Statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05.