Assessing Caries Risk in Varsity College Athletes Using Modified CAMBRA

<strong><span data-contrast="none">Purpose</span></strong><em><span data-contrast="none">: </span></em><span data-contrast="none">Varsity collegiate athletes are at risk for caries due to high-sugar diets, frequent snacking, and limited time for oral care due to demanding schedules. This study assessed caries risk and oral hygiene practices of varsity collegiate athletes at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) and contributing risk factors using a modified Caries Management by Risk Assessment (CAMBRA) model.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:480}">&nbsp;</span> <strong><span data-contrast="none">Methods</span></strong><strong><em><span data-contrast="none">: </span></em></strong><span data-contrast="none">A cross-sectional survey study design (UNC IRB # 24-2346) was implemented and distributed to 26 varsity sports teams (767 athletes) at UNC-CH. The survey was adapted from CAMBRA and administered via Qualtrics, collecting quantitative data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:480}">&nbsp;</span> <strong><span data-contrast="none">Results:</span></strong><span data-contrast="none"> Participants included 193 athletes (25% response rate) from 24 teams. Twenty-three percent (n=44) were at low risk for developing caries, 45% (n=86) were at moderate risk, 33% (n=63) were at high risk, and zero percent were at extreme risk. Most (88%, n=170) follow ADA-recommended oral hygiene practices. Participants reported risk factors such as frequent snacking (68%, n=132), orthodontics (53%, n=103), and xerostomia (35%, n=67) at a statistically significant rate (p&lt;0.05). Participants self-reported disease indicators, with 8% (n=16) stating their dentist diagnosed caries at their last dental visit and 33% (n=64) indicating they had a carious lesion restored within the past three years.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:480}">&nbsp;</span> <strong><span data-contrast="none">Conclusion</span></strong><strong><em><span data-contrast="none">: </span></em></strong><span data-contrast="none">This study highlights unique barriers collegiate athletes face, such as their schedule of food and beverage intake, time constraints, and oral hygiene practices, which may contribute to caries risk. Future studies should further explore individual risk factors for this population.</span><strong><span data-contrast="none">&nbsp;</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:480}">&nbsp;</span> <strong><span data-contrast="none">Funding:</span></strong><span data-contrast="none"> This project was supported by the Salisbury Family Excellence Fund Administered by Honors Carolina.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:480}">&nbsp;</span>