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Use Of Mouthguard Rates Among Athletes During 2009 IIHF Word U18 Championship

Duymus ZY*,Gungor H,Erhan SE

The purpose of this study was to determine the attitudes of mouthguard users in the 2009 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Word U18 Championship Div. III Group B Turkey. The participants’ appreciation in the use of protective devices, such as mouthguards, during sport activities was also evaluated. In this study a 10-item questionnaire was distributed to 82 athletes of ice hokey in 2009 IIHF Word U18 Championship. The Championship composed of 4 national teams [Bulgaria (Bul), Ireland (Irl), Iceland (Isl) and Turkey (Tur)]. Of all players were males and there average ages were Bul. 16.55, Irl. 16.2, Isl. 17.0, Tur. 17.3 . The result of questionnaires indicated that none of the athletes used mouthguards while participating in sports. The use of mouthguards is rare in sports, because all of athletes wear helmets and face masks associated with their helmets. IIHF rules required that athletes, who fewer than 18 years, should wear face masks during sport activities, but not mandatory of wearing mouth guards. The same 10-item questionnaire was distributed to 16 athletes of national ice hokey team of Turkey. Athletes, who are older than 18 years, usually wear not face masks but wear helmets and moutguards. There sportsmen’s 25 % used mouthguards while participating in sports, but this number is not enough. Doctors and dentists need to recommend a more intensive education of athletes in sports medicine and sports dentistry.