Sports Dentistry- A Review of Prevalence and Awareness of Sports Injuries, Dental Implications and Opportunities in Dentistry

Sports dentistry is a branch of oral sciences concerned with the treatment, management, and prevention of the trauma to the orofacial region sustained while participating in any sports activity. Sports have been frequently reported to be an important cause of overall oral trauma in children, as well as adults. There is an evident lack of knowledge in the general population regarding how sports injuries are to be prevented and dealt with. Dentists, if included in sports teams and schools, can help penetrate this knowledge and awareness barrier. Lifestyle, eating habits, stress, etc., have an impact on the performance of the athletes. Stress in athletes can lead to substance abuse, more precisely, tobacco abuse which can affect their performance. Like physiotherapists, even dentists can be made a part of a professional sports team where they can help prevent the complications arising due to facial traumas by the administration of various protective appliances and handle maxillofacial trauma. The present study aimed to evaluate and comprehend the current opportunities for dentists in the field of sports dentistry, whilst emphasising their significance in the professional sports system.