Abstract
Background/Aims
Ice
hockey players of all ages experience oral and dental injuries. The aim
of this study was to evaluate the rates of ice hockey-related oral
injuries, time lost due to oral injury, and mechanisms of oral injuries
in the province of Alberta during a 15-year period (2001-2016).
Methods
Hockey
Alberta, the governing body for minor ice hockey associations across
the province, collects injury report forms from injured participants in
sanctioned events. Fifteen years (2001-2016) of this database was
examined for total respondents suffering oral injuries. Data on total
injuries, estimated time lost, and injury mechanism were analyzed.
Results
Overall,
12 433 ice hockey-related injuries were recorded. The oral region was
the third most common body part (16% of total injuries) to be injured
after the arms and legs. Oral injuries have been occurring at a
relatively constant rate each year from 2001 to 2016, with a maximum of
174 and minimum of 99 reported. Oral injuries usually result in a short
absence from the sport of 1 week or less and tend to occur through being
struck by a stick or the hockey puck. This differs from total injuries,
which tend to occur through collisions with the boards or other
players.
Conclusions
Rates
of oral injuries in Alberta due to ice hockey comprise a significant
portion of the injuries that players sustain. Oral injuries occur mostly
when a player is struck with a puck or stick, and the rest of the body
is injured primarily through collisions. Dental practitioners can help
ice hockey athletes prevent oral and dental injuries through encouraging
the use of mouthguards (custom over boil and bite) and continuing to
wear full-face protection.
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