Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
DENTAL TRAUMATOLOGY, cilt.0, sa.0, ss.1-10, 2025 (SCI-Expanded)
Introduction: Sports- related traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) are common among young athletes, particularly in contact sports
like basketball. Although most TDIs are preventable with mouthguard use and prompt first aid, awareness levels remain low.
This study aimed to assess the prevalence of TDIs, knowledge of emergency management, and mouthguard awareness among
youth basketball players in Turkey.
Materials and Methods: This cross- sectional study included 125 youth basketball players from 25 randomly selected teams in
the 2024–2025 season. Participants completed a 12- item online questionnaire covering demographics, TDI history, emergency
management knowledge, and mouthguard use. Descriptive statistics and chi- square tests were used for data analysis.
Results: Among the participants, 16.8% reported experiencing a dental injury while playing basketball, with tooth fractures
being the most common type (57.1%). Only 29.6% were aware that timely replantation of an avulsed tooth improves prognosis.
Mouthguard usage was notably low, with only 7.2% reporting any use. The most frequently cited reason for not using a mouth-
guard was the perception that it was unnecessary (41.1%). Experience with dental trauma and knowledge of emergency man-
agement were significantly associated with years of basketball participation (p < 0.05), whereas no demographic factors were
significantly related to mouthguard use.
Conclusion: Youth basketball players in Turkey show limited awareness of TDI management and low mouthguard usage.
Educational programs for athletes, coaches, and parents are important to raise awareness, encourage prevention, and improve
emergency response, especially among young athletes.