Policy Prevention of Sports-Related Orofacial Injuries

Policy statement

The AAPD encourages:

• dentists to play an active role in educating the public in the use of protective equipment for the prevention of orofacial injuries during sporting and recreational activities.
• continuation of preventive practices instituted in youth, high school, and college football, lacrosse, field hockey, ice hockey, and wrestling (for wrestlers wearing braces).
• an ASTM-certified face protector be required for youth participating in baseball and softball activities.
• mandating the use of properly-fitted mouthguards in other organized sporting activities that carry risk of orofacial injury.
• coaches/administrators of organized sports to consult a dentist with expertise in orofacial injuries prior to initiating practices for a sporting season regarding recommendations for immediate management of sports-related injuries (e.g., avulsed teeth).
• continuation of research in development of a comfortable, efficacious, and cost-effective sports mouthguard to facilitate more widespread use of this proven protective device.
• dentists to provide education to parents and patients regarding prevention of orofacial injuries as part of the anticipatory guidance discussed during dental visits.
• dentists to prescribe, fabricate, or provide referral for mouthguard protection for patients at increased risk for orofacial trauma.
• third-party payors to realize the benefits of mouthguards for the prevention and protection from orofacial sportsrelated injuries and, furthermore, to improve access to these services.
• pediatric dentists to partner with other dentists and child health professionals, school administrators, legislators, and community sports organizations to promote the broader use of mouthguards.
• pediatric dental departments to teach dental students to fabricate custom-fitted mouthguards.