Pulpal reactions following experimental acute trauma of concussion type on immature dog teeth

Abstract The pulpal reactions of 14 immature incisors of two dogs were histopathologically evaluated 45 days after experimental mechanical blows that did not, as shown by post-traumatic clinical examination, cause fracture, displacement or loosening of the teeth. The more significant pulpal reactions in all specimens were the coagulation necrosis of the coronal pulp and the hyalinization of the central region of the radicular pulp. Dystrophic calcifications within coronal or radicular necrotic tissue, and absence of inflammatory infiltration were also observed in all traumatized teeth.     

Prevalence of orofacial injuries and use of mouthguards in high school Rugby Union*

In Australia there is a tradition of early involvement of children in contact sports. Mouthguards are known to reduce the risk of dental and associated injuries — however, Australian studies of the use of mouthguards in contact sports and the prevalence of dental and associated injuries have only focused on adult participants. Previous studies of high school Rugby Union players in New Zealand have shown that between 13 and 15 per cent had previously sustained dental injury while between 30 and 37 per cent wore mouthguards regularly. One hundred and thirty Rugby Union football players attending a large high school in Brisbane participated in this survey. All believed in the safety value of mouthguards in football. All of the players in the four open teams and the majority of players in the four under-age teams wore mouthguards, and the incidence of dental injury was very low, approximately 4 per cent. These and other results will be presented and compared with previous similar studies.     

Orofacial/cerebral injuries and the use of mouthguards by professional athletes in Switzerland

Abstract –  The objective of the present study was to measure the occurrence of orofacial and cerebral injuries in different sports and to survey the awareness of athletes and officials concerning the use of mouthguards during sport activities. Two hundred and sixty-seven professional athletes and 63 officials participating in soccer, handball, basketball and ice hockey were interviewed. The frequency of orofacial and cerebral trauma during sport practice was recorded and the reason for using and not using mouthguards was assessed. A great difference in orofacial and cerebral injuries was found when comparing the different kinds of sports and comparing athletes with or without mouthguards. 45% of the players had suffered injuries when not wearing mouthguards. Most injuries were found in ice hockey, (59%), whereas only 24% of the soccer players suffered injuries when not wearing mouthguards. Sixty-eight percentage of the players wearing mouthguards had never suffered any orofacial and cerebral injuries. Two hundred and twenty-four athletes (84%) did not use a mouthguard despite general acceptance by 150 athletes (56%). Although the awareness of mouthguards among officials was very high (59%), only 25% of them would support the funding of mouthguards and 5% would enforce regulations. Athletes as well as coaches should be informed about the high risk of oral injuries when performing contact sports. Doctors and dentists need to recommend a more intensive education of students in sports medicine and sports dentistry, and to increase their willingness to become a team dentist.     

Oral injury and mouthguard usage by athletes in Japan

Abstract— The use of mouthguards in contact sports effectively prevents oral injury and preserves oral structures. We investigated oral injuries and awareness concerning mouthguards ainong Japanese high school soccer and rugby players. Athletes were asked a series of questions concerning their history of oral injury while participating in sports, and their pattern of mouthguard use was determined. The data were evaluated statistically using chi-square analysis. The incidence of oral injuries was 32.3% for soccer athletes and 56.5% for rugby athletes, with 0.8% and 24.1% of the respective groups having mouthguards. There were sigmficant differences between the soccer and rugby groups (p<0.001). Although 81.8% of soccer athletes thought mouthguards were unnecessary, only 26.2% of rugby athletes shared this opinion and there was a sigmficant difference between the soccer and rugby groups. Many soccer ath-letes had insufficient knowledge about mouthguards and were not concerned about preventing oral injury, although it was in fact a common problem in their sport. Athletes as well as coaches must be made aware of the high risk of oral injury when playing soccer, rugby, and other contact sports.     

Descriptive study of dental injury incurred by junior high school and high school students during participation in school sports clubs

Aim: Students often injure their teeth during participation in school-based sports clubs. This study examined the frequencies and types of dental injuries sustained at school sports clubs and compared the risk of dental injury among different sports. Methods: Based on injury statistics from the Japan Sport Council of the junior high schools and high schools in seven prefectures during fiscal year 2006, the risk of dental injury was estimated using a rate ratio (RR) by calculating the ratio of occurrence of dental injury under various circumstances. Results: The RRs of exercise-related dental injury for boys and girls in junior high school were 0.7 (P < 0.001) and 1.3 (P < 0.05), respectively, and for those in high school were 2.6 (P < 0.001) and 2.7 (P < 0.001), respectively. In junior high school, softball (RR = 7.7) for boys and handball (RR = 3.9) for girls commonly led to dental injuries. In high school, Japanese-style wrestling (RR = 18.5) and rugby (RR = 7.3) for boys and handball (RR = 6.5) for girls had high risks for dental injury. Crown fracture was the predominant dental injury among boys and girls attending both junior high school and high school. The proportion of alveolar fracture was higher in school sports clubs than outside school sports clubs among high school boys. Contact or limited-contact sports had significantly higher risks for dental injuries than did noncontact sports. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that teachers and administrators at schools should pay attention to the risk of dental injury among students participating in high-risk sports.Key words: Dental injury, school sports club, high school students, junior high school students     

A 4‐year follow‐up case of extrusive luxation in a patient with cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a condition caused by brain damage before, during, or shortly after birth. Communication can be a challenge when treating patients with CP. Some patients can communicate verbally, while others use augmentative alternative communication tools or have individualized means of communication. Therefore, professional dental treatment in individuals with CP is challenging, especially if the patient is affected by dental trauma and requires emergency treatment. This report shows how individualized communication skills assessment allowed us to successfully manage a 9‐year‐old patient with CP, who suffered extrusive luxation of the permanent lower incisor. In the present case, the teeth were repositioned briefly after the trauma had occurred and then stabilized with a flexible splint according to international guidelines. The teeth remained vital and periodontal repair was observed during the 4‐year follow‐up.     

Survey of oral nursing care attitudes,knowledge and practices in a neurorehabilitation setting

The provision of oral care is an important fundamental nursing activity. The purpose of the study was to gain knowledge on nursing care professionals´ attitude, belief, knowledge and practice towards oral care in a neurorehabilitation setting. Nursing care professionals (n = 260, response rate: 60%) at neurorehabilitation hospital took part in cross‐sectional web‐based 59‐items survey. Attitudes were cross‐tabulated and compared using Fisher's exact test. Oral care product frequencies were compared between patients with/without eating difficulties using McNemar's test. Most professionals agreed that oral health impacts general health (93%) and poor oral health can cause pneumonia (85%). 41% professionals found it difficult to clean the oral cavity and 12% found it unpleasant. 40% indicated that time allocated for oral hygiene was insufficient, 27% indicated a need for broader range of oral care supplies and >80% would like continuing oral care education. Manual toothbrush and toothpaste were used more than once per shift by >75% in all patients. Swabs, premixed mouth rinse, carbonated water and lip moisturiser were more frequently used in patients with eating difficulties compared to with no eating difficulties. Oral care is perceived as an essential component of care in neurorehabilitation. However, professionals indicated lack of time, need for better supplies and oral care training. The differentiated use of oral care products shows that professionals were aware that patients with eating difficulties have different requirements; however, some oral care practices were inappropriate. The results should be considered while designing oral care guidelines and training.