# Emergency management of sport-related orofacial trauma

## TL;DR

This paper discusses the emergency management of dental injuries in sports, emphasizing preparedness and collaboration for optimal athlete care.

## Contribution

The paper emphasizes the need for individualized return-to-play decisions and better guidelines for managing dental trauma in sports.

## Key findings

- Dental trauma is common in sports and requires proactive planning and dental expertise.
- Elite athletes need personalized risk assessments and collaborative care for return-to-play decisions.
- Current guidelines for managing dental trauma in sports are lacking and require further research.

## Abstract

Sport-related orofacial trauma is a common occurrence, particularly in contact sports and among young adults, necessitating effective emergency management. This article highlights the prevalence of these injuries and emphasises the importance of proactive planning, including athlete and staff education, establishment of emergency protocols, and ensuring access to dental expertise. Immediate and appropriate on-site management, guided by the International Association of Dental Trauma guidelines, is crucial for optimal outcomes, especially in cases of avulsion. Furthermore, the complexities surrounding return-to-play decisions for elite athletes are discussed, advocating for a collaborative, individualised approach that prioritises long-term health and necessitates further research to establish specific guidelines. The evolving nature of dental trauma management in sports underscores the need for continuous professional development and a commitment to prioritising athletes‘ wellbeing.

Dental trauma has a high prevalence, highlighting the need for effective prevention and management strategies.It is important to be prepared and establish links with dental professionals to manage these often-stressful injuries effectively.Managing elite athletes requires individualised risk assessments and collaborative decisions with other members of the supporting team balancing the athlete's desire to return with the need to prioritise their long-term dental health, as specific return-to-play guidelines for dental trauma are lacking.

Dental trauma has a high prevalence, highlighting the need for effective prevention and management strategies.

It is important to be prepared and establish links with dental professionals to manage these often-stressful injuries effectively.

Managing elite athletes requires individualised risk assessments and collaborative decisions with other members of the supporting team balancing the athlete's desire to return with the need to prioritise their long-term dental health, as specific return-to-play guidelines for dental trauma are lacking.