220 - Mouthguard Use by School-Aged Children: A Survey

Purpose: Sports injuries account for up to 40% of all dental injuries in children. Although several studies have emphasized the benefits of mouthguards for the prevention of dental injuries, many young athletes still choose not to use mouthguards. The purpose of this study is to investigate if athletes wear mouthguards and identify potential barriers.

Methods: A 15-question survey was administered to the parents/guardians of school-aged children who reported participating in sports. The study population consisted of 93 parents/children, 60 males (66%), 31 females (34%), with the average age of the child being 11 years old. Survey questions included the sport(s) the child participated in, if a mouthguard was worn, and specific reasons that impacted if a mouthguard was utilized or not. Specific factors impacting mouthguard use included cost, social pressure, comfort, performance, coach requirement, dentist recommended, and the level of importance of each. 

Results: The sport with the highest reported use of mouthguards was football (81%), followed by wrestling (41%), basketball (16%), and soccer (11%). Parents/guardians ranked “required by coach” was the strongest factor in determining mouthguard use (73%). The second strongest factor was “recommended by dentist” at 70%. Eighty-eight percent strongly agreed/agreed “mouthguards play an important role in protecting against dental trauma injuries”. Majority of parents (80%) reported they are more likely to have their child wear a mouthguard after completing this survey. 

Conclusions: Children are more likely to wear mouthguards in sports when it is required by the coach and/or recommended by a dentist.  


Identify Supporting Agency and Grant Number: Research supported by the University of Iowa, College of Dentistry, Department of Pediatric Dentistry.