Dental squash injuries – a survey among players and coaches in Switzerland, Germany and France

Abstract –  Squash belongs to sporting activities with medium risk of causing dental trauma. Because of high velocity, close body contact and the use of rackets the injury potential in squash has increased. The aim of this work was to conduct a comparative study between Switzerland, Germany and France on a number of issues: the frequency of dental and facial injuries in squash, athletes' habits of wearing mouthguards, as well as the general level of information about emergency measures after a dental trauma and the resulting consequences. Using a standardized questionnaire a total of 653 individuals, 600 squash players and their 53 coaches, were interviewed. In each of the three countries 200 players belonging to four different divisions (juniors, amateurs, semi-professionals and professionals) were surveyed. Of these 653 interviewees 133 (20.4%) have already observed a dental injury; 27 (4.5%) have experienced a dental trauma themselves. Less than half of all interviewed players and coaches (47.6%) were aware of the possibility of replanting avulsed teeth. Just 5.1% were familiar with the tooth rescue kit. Only one individual wore a mouthguard. The results show that the area of squash requires more information about prevention through sports associations, coaches and dentists.