Dentist attitudes towards mouthgaurd protection

Resident: Roberts
Article title: Dentist attitudes toward mouthgaurd protection
Author: Maestrello, Christopher et al.
Journal: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Volume: 21: 6 pages 340 – 345
Year: 1999
Issues/Findings:
From the last 30 years numerous articles have been published citing studies that targeted the attitudes of ball players, coaches, referees, school and league officials, however, none cited the attitude of the dentist towards mouthgaurds – until this paper. Presently only the amateur sports of football, ice hockey, boxing, men’s lacrosse, and women’s field hockey and the professional sport of boxing mandate the use of mouthgaurds. Studies indicate the use of mouthgaurds in contact sports and show that up to 1/3 of all dental trauma occur in sports accidents.
Three types of mouthgaurds exist: stock, mouthformed, and custom made. Class 1 and 2 dentitions receive maxillary mouthgaurds, while class 3 pts receive mandibular mouthgaurds. The most desirable qualities of a mouth guards are protection, retention, comfort, fit, ease of speech, resistance to tear, and ease of breathing – all of these which are best obtained via a custom mouthgaurd.
Interesting fact: 72% of high schools report using sales reps as a source for selecting mouthgaurds, 33% report using publications and literature, 11% consult a dentist.
In this study 2500 dentist were surveyed in Virginia: 1999 GP’s, 213 Orthodontist, 88 pediatric dentists. A response rate of 834(38%) of GP’s, 113 (53%) of orthodontists, and 45(51%) of Pediatric dentist were obtained.
Conclusions:
1. Recent graduates are more likely to have an understanding of mouthgaurds
2. Dentist that recommend mouthgaurds and types
a. GP’s 66% custom, mouthformed, stock
b. Ortho 97% stock, custom, mouthformed
c. Ped 85% custom, mouthformed, stock

Sports most likely recommended to use by dentist in order
Football, basketball, boxing, ice hockey, field hockey, wrestling, martial arts, soccer, lacrosse, baseball, rollerblading, ice skating, volleyball, gymnastics, bicycling, skiing, water sports, tennis, track and field…

Reasons dentist did not recommend mouthgaurds
1. Pt could get less expensive mouthgaurd somewhere else
2. Dentist had no formal training on how to use or fabricate mouthgaurds
3. Not the responsibility of the dentist to recommend
4. Not profitable
5. other