Evaluation Of Knowledge and Occurrence of Sports Related Dental Injuries Among Students Studying in Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College & Hospital, Solan, Hp

Abstract

Now a days, a great enthusiasm can be seen among young adults to participate in contact sports. However, it exposes them to a risk of sustaining trauma specially to their orofacial structures.  Aim: To evaluate the occurrence of dental injuries, the level of knowledge among medical students about preventive measures and management of dental trauma during sports in Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College and Hospital (MMMC&H), Solan, Himachal Pradesh.Material And Methods: This cross- sectional study was carried out on 200 randomly selected students studying in a medical college aged between 18-25 years. The study was carried out using a structured questionnaire which comprised of 15 items regarding the sports the students were involved in, any dental injury incurred during sports, whether they knew that avulsed tooth could be reimplanted, whether they use mouthguards etc.  the participants consisted of 100 males (50%) and 100 females(50%) with a mean age of 22.35 years. Results:Out of 92 participants who sustained injury during sports, 34 (36.9%) subjects had experienced chipping or fracture of teeth, 50 (54.34%) had experienced soft-tissue laceration and 8 (8.6%) suffered from avulsion of teeth. Out of the total participants, 103 (51.5%) knew that it was possible to replant the teeth and 97 (48.5%) did not know that it was possible to replant the teeth.Out of the total participants, 124 (62%) did not know what is the best time to put the teeth back in the mouth and 76 (38 %) answered in affirmative with variable answers. Of the total participants, 90 (45%) answered that they would carry avulsed tooth in wrapped in cloth, 42 (21%)water, 26 (13%) in mouth/saliva, 22 (11%) in Hanks’ Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) and 20 (10%) answered others. Of the total participants, 182 (91%) were aware that mouthguards prevent injury and 18 (9%) did not know about mouthguards. Out of the total participants, 54 (27%) used mouthguards and 146 (73%) had never used mouthguards.Conclusion:Very less information exists about the dental injuries in sports. Also, the level of awareness regarding the prevention and management of orofacial trauma is scarce. In such a scenario, it becomes imperative that children and adolescents should be educated and made aware about the same starting from their initial years since knowledge imbibed early goes a long way. Nevertheless, it will help children to live a healthy life away from any disfigurement.