Citation

Love RM, Carman N, Carmichael S, MacFadyen E. N. Zeal. Dent. J. 1998; 94(418): 146-149.

Affiliation

Department of Oral Health, School of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin.

Comment In:

N Z Dent J 1999;95(420):65-6.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, New Zealand Dental Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9889533

Abstract

A large number of New Zealanders participate in sport, either formally or informally; sporting injuries are common. In New Zealand, the Accident Rehabilitation & Compensation Insurance Corporation (ACC) is the main organisation that covers sports-related dental claims. Rugby union claims are the most common. The ACC's national data from 1993 to 1996 relating to dental claims for sports injuries (excluding rugby union) were analysed. This study identified 45 other sports in which participants are also at risk for dental injuries. Total claims per sport for each year were determined, and the "top 10" sports for claims per year were identified and compared for any change over the years studied. The top 10 sports for 1993 and 1994 were, in descending order: swimming, rugby league, basketball, cricket, hockey, soccer, netball, squash, softball-baseball, and tennis. Data for 1995 and 1996 revealed a similar trend, except that touch rugby displaced tennis as the tenth-ranked sport. The most common age group for claims was the age group 10-19 years, with a male:female ratio of approximately 2:1. Many sports, in addition to rugby union, place their participants at risk of dental injury. Awareness of prevention of dental injuries should be more widely promoted for all sports.

Language: en