DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.169394.2 ISSN: 2046-1402

Dental consultations and orofacial injuries in high-performance athletes participating in Latin American multi-sport events: a systematic review

Felipe Avendaño, Catalina Opazo-García, Jeel Moya-Salazar, Juan Pablo Morales, Bárbara Salgado, Hans Contreras-Pulache
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Introduction Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) and orofacial trauma are common conditions in sports and may negatively affect athletes’ oral health, participation, and performance. According to the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT), TDIs involve injuries to the teeth, periodontal tissues, alveolar bone, and associated soft tissues. We aimed to determine the frequency of dental consultations and orofacial injuries in high-performance athletes. Methods A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD451763). Twelve electronic databases and grey literature sources were searched. Studies reporting traumatic dental injuries or orofacial trauma in athletes participating in Latin American multi-sport events were eligible. Results A total of 815 records were identified and one study met the inclusion criteria. The included study evaluated athletes receiving dental care during six editions of the Central American and Caribbean Games. Among 279 athletes, acute dental and orofacial conditions accounted for 6% of consultations. The main reasons for seeking dental care among the 279 athletes included mouthguard fabrication, resolution of acute dental and orofacial conditions, restorations, and dental evaluations. Reported injuries included dental fractures, tooth avulsion, lip injuries, and jaw fractures associated with sports participation. Conclusions The available evidence is insufficient to estimate the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries and orofacial trauma among athletes participating in Latin American multi-sport events. The only eligible study identified was based on dental-service utilization rather than population-based surveillance. These findings highlight the scarcity of epidemiological evidence and the need for standardized injury surveillance systems and further research in sports dentistry.

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