Perceptions of Chandigarh sports coaches regarding oro-facial injuries and their prevention

Abstract

Enthusiastic participation by the younger generation in sports exposes them to a high risk of injuries. In the present study, the perceptions of sports coaches regarding their knowledge and experience of such injuries is evaluated. The coaches considered helmet as the most common protective device followed by mouth guard and facemask. About 58% observed that boxing was associated with oro-facial injuries and protective devices were deemed mandatory by 68% in this event. About 45% saw over five injuries in the last year, mostly soft tissue facial injuries (47%) and tooth loss (33%). Most injuries were in hockey and 32% were due to hits by ball, stick or related hard objects. About 82% were related to nonuse of protective devices. The majority of coaches considered that oro-facial devices be made more popular among sportspersons for their safety while 28% felt they reduced efficiency. The author concludes that there is a need to popularize the use of oro-facial protective devices in a variety of sports events in our country by interacting with coaches, sports administrators and sportspersons as well as familiarizing the Indian dentists in this relatively new field.

Knowledge and Attitude of the Sports Teachers in Central India towards Oro-facial Injuries and the use of Mouth Guard

“…Sports teachers have not only the responsibility of educating the sports persons about protective devises but also help them in motivating for its regular use. Studies have shown that although the sports teachers have adequate knowledge of protective devices, few imply it in their regular practice [17,18]. Similar results have been observed by the present study, wherein only 3% of the sports teachers recommended the use of mouth guards.…”

Dental and jaw injuries sustained by hooligans

“…Adolescents and children, in particular, are made aware of this issue earlier than used to happen in the past. An Irish and an Italian study investigated mouthguard wearing to prevent sports‐related dental injuries in children and youngsters . These studies confirm the early wearing of mouthguards by children and youngsters during school sports or at sports clubs.…”

“…These studies confirm the early wearing of mouthguards by children and youngsters during school sports or at sports clubs. They also emphasize the need for greater prevention in this area .…”

Knowledge and Attitudes of Coaches Regarding Sports Related Oro-Facial Injuries in Chennai, India

“…70% of the coaches in the present study found the frequency of oro-facial injuries between 1-5 and 70% of these injuries were mostly due to non-use of protective devices. In a similar study by Lehl G, 40% of the coaches found the frequency of injury between1-5 [32]. Authors who found the frequency of injury due to non-use of protective devices were 82% by Lehl [32,33,34,35].…”