Assessing Dental Sports Injuries among Individuals of Bhopal City: A Survey

Context: Contact sports are greatly enjoyed by all age groups especially the younger generation. This also increases the chances of orofacial injuries. Thus causing minor cuts, loss of tooth or even fracture of facial bones. The protective gear is available but the level of awareness among the athletes is low. This study thus evaluates occurrence of dental injuries among participants about preventive measures. Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the occurrence of dental injuries among individuals playing sports and to assess the level of knowledge among participants about preventive measures and dental injuries. Settings and Design: Cross-sectional study Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 201 athletes. Data were collected using a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire to assess the prevalence of oral injuries sustained during sports, the use of mouthguards, and the level of awareness among athletes regarding the importance of mouthguard use. Statistical analysis used: Data was entered in Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and descriptive data were analyzed using SPSS software Version 26.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used to analyze the results. Results: A total of 201 players participated in this investigation. The majority of participants (45.3%) had played sports for 1-5 years, 34.8% for more than 5 years, and 19.9% for more than 10 years. In the current study, 37.3% of athletes reported having a face injury, break, or bruise while competing, while 62.7% did not. While 80.6% did not encounter any chipped, fractured, or loose teeth while playing, 19.4% did.48.8% had suffered a soft tissue injury while participating in sports. In terms of awareness, 78.1% of athletes had not visited a dentist following a sports injury, whereas 21.9% had. The majority of players (64.2%) are aware that mouth guards can help protect teeth. Additionally, 50.2% of athletes wear mouth guards. Conclusions: This study highlights that many athletes are not comfortable using mouthguards. This reluctance increases the risk of orofacial injuries during sports. To address this, there is a need for better education on the benefits of mouthguards, promoting custom-fitted options for enhanced comfort, and fostering a culture of safety in sports.