Conhecimento e atitudes relacionadas ao traumatismo orofacial entre praticantes de esportes de combate

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the knowledge and attitudes regarding to orofacial injuries and the use of mouthguards among combat sports practitioners. Methods: The study participants were 58 practitioners of combat sports, both amateurs and professionals. Participants answered a questionnaire composed by 38 questions in order to gather data on personal information, history of trauma and type of injury suffered during the practice of combat sports, type impact, risk factors, level of knowledge on trauma and the use of mouthguard. Results: Of the 58 respondents, 72% (n=42) reported having suffered some traumatic injury in the face during practice combat sports. Although 95% of the participants has declared deems necessary to use mouthguard while conducting combat sports, 78% attested to use it actually. The proportion of practitioners who believe that an avulsed or fractured tooth should be sought at the site is 55%, and 81% believe that the time spent do get treatment influences the prognosis. 57% do not know how to store the tooth or the fragment when it is found, and less than a half of the participants believe that an avulsed tooth can be reimplanted (48%). Conclusion: The self-reported prevalence of orofacial injuries among combat sports practitioners was high. Although there is a certain lack of knowledge of the participants regarding to the attitudes to be taken after the occurrence of a traumatic event, most of them recognize the importance use of mouthguards and report to use them in their sports activities.