Best Practice Case Studies-NATA Preventing and Managing Sport-Related Dental and Oral Injuries

Pdf Summary

The article from the Journal of Athletic Training presents a position statement by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association on preventing and managing sport-related dental and oral injuries. As competitive sports participation increases, so does the risk of orofacial injuries. Such injuries, though a small percentage of overall sports injuries, can incur significant financial burdens and impact long-term health. The statement advocates for greater use of protective equipment, specifically mouthguards, which are currently mandated by few sports governing bodies.<br /><br />Key recommendations include the integration of dental injury management into emergency action plans, the need for athletic trainers (ATs) to familiarize themselves with orofacial injury management protocols, and the importance of education about the benefits of wearing properly fitted mouthguards. Despite their limited use, mouthguards effectively reduce the risk of oral injuries, though they are not proven to prevent concussions.<br /><br />The document also emphasizes the significance of dental injury classification – including different types of tooth fractures and displacements – and tailored acute care strategies. Importantly, tooth re-plantation should be done promptly, preferably within 5 minutes, to enhance chances of successful recovery.<br /><br />Mouthguard efficacy relates to both the prevention of injury and athlete compliance, with considerations for proper design, fit, and maintenance being crucial. The article calls for more widespread education and consistent application of dental protection protocols to minimize the impacts of oral injury in sports. It strongly underlines the necessity for ATs to coordinate with dental specialists and uphold comprehensive oral health strategies within sports medicine. Overall, the position statement provides actionable guidelines to enhance protection against sport-related dental injuries and improve athlete care.

Meta Tag

Edition 3rd Edition

Related Case 3rd Edition, CASE 23

Topic HEENT

Keywords

3rd Edition, CASE 23

3rd Edition

HEENT

sport-related dental injuries

orofacial injuries

protective equipment

mouthguards

athletic trainers

emergency action plans

dental injury management

tooth re-plantation

oral health strategies

sports medicine