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| Research Title: |
An evaluation of mouthguard requirements and dental injuries in New Zealand rugby union. |
| Type of Research: |
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| Category: |
Protective Equipment
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| Keywords: |
Mouthguard
Protective equipment
Rugby, Dental injury, Risk
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| Author(s): |
K L Quarrie, S M Gianotti, D J Chalmers, W G Hopkins |
| Author(s) Bio Box: |
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| Release Date: |
22 February 2006 |
| Research Summary/Text: |
In New Zealand mouthguard wearing was made compulsory during match play for rugby players at under 19 level and below at the beginning of the 1997 season, and for all grades of domestic rugby at the beginning of the 1998 season. Greater powers of enforcement were provided to referees at the beginning of the 2003 season. Incidence of dental injury and relative risk of dental injury was measured using rugby related dental injury claims from the ACC, the administrator of New Zealand’s accident compensation scheme.
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| Research Objectives: |
The aim of this study is to document the effects of rugby law changes in mouthguard use on rugby related dental injury and to estimate the relative risk of dental injury for wearers and non-wearers of mouthguards.
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| Research Outcomes: |
Since the introduction of mandatory mouthguard wearing among New Zealand rugby players, there has been a 43% reduction in rugby related dental injury claims to the ACC. Over the period 1993-2003, the self-reported rate of mouthguard use among male rugby players increased by 26%. The relative rate of injury claims for non-wearers versus wearers was 4.6.
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| Research Implications: |
Mouthguard use is a simple and effective injury prevention strategy for rugby players. Mouthguard use for rugby players at all levels during matches and practice involving contact is recommended.
The relative effectiveness of the various types of mouthguards available has not been fully established. While it is generally suggested that dentist fitted mouthguards offer superior fit, comfort and ability to breathe over the mouth fitted type, there have been no studies with sufficient sample sizes and injury numbers to confirm a difference in rugby injury rates in practice.
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| Availability of Full Research Paper: |
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