Prevalence of facial trauma in contact sports practitioners in the Federal District of Brazil

Abstract Aims: The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of oral and dentoalveolar trauma among contact sports practitioners in the Federal District of Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using a questionnaire developed specifically for this research regarding the occurrence of facial trauma, site of injuries, how they occurred, the approach is taken to solve the problem, and the use of several types of mouthguards. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 20.0 software, and the chi-square test (X2) was chosen to examine the differences between categorical variables. The results were considered statistically significant for p<0.05. Results: A total of 141 athletes were interviewed, with a prevalence of facial trauma of 65.2%, which was higher in professional athletes (71.1%). Lesions ranged from soft tissue lacerations to combined trauma; and the most frequent injuries were soft tissue laceration (53.3%), combined trauma (16.3%), and dental fracture (9.8%). Only 20.6% of the participants required treatment for related injuries. Regarding the use of mouthguards, 34% of the athletes reported regular use of this device, and Type II mouthguard was the most used (39.7%). Dentists participate in the process of production and dissemination of mouthguards in 17.1% and 10.5% of cases, respectively. Conclusion: The data showed that most athletes are not aware of the importance of using mouthguards. The dentist must be more present in the area of sports dentistry, both for awareness and production of these devices, which support the safe practice of contact sports.

摘要
研究目的：本研究旨在评估巴西联邦区接触性运动从业者的口腔及牙颌创伤（oral and dentoalveolar trauma）患病率。
研究方法：本研究采用横断面描述性研究（cross-sectional descriptive study）设计，使用专为本次研究开发的调查问卷，内容涵盖面部创伤发生情况、损伤部位、致伤原因、处置方案及各类护齿器（mouthguard）的使用情况。采用SPSS 20.0软件进行数据分析，选用卡方检验（chi-square test，χ²）分析分类变量间的差异，以p<0.05作为差异具有统计学意义的判定标准。
研究结果：本研究共访谈141名运动员，面部创伤患病率为65.2%，其中职业运动员患病率更高（71.1%）。损伤类型涵盖软组织撕裂伤至复合创伤；最常见的损伤为软组织撕裂伤（53.3%）、复合创伤（16.3%）及牙折（9.8%）。仅20.6%的参与者因相关损伤接受治疗。关于护齿器的使用情况，34%的运动员报告定期使用该器具，其中Ⅱ型护齿器（Type II mouthguard）使用率最高（39.7%）。分别有17.1%和10.5%的护齿器由牙医参与制作与推广。
研究结论：本研究数据显示，多数运动员未意识到使用护齿器的重要性。牙医应更多参与运动牙科学领域工作，既需开展相关科普宣教，也需参与护齿器的制作，为接触性运动的安全开展提供保障。