Level of information concerning dental injuries and their prevention in Swiss basketball--a survey among players and coaches.

Basketball carries a medium risk of dental injuries. Swiss data are not available in this respect. Using a standardized questionnaire 302 basketball players from 29 Swiss teams and their 29 coaches were interviewed. The questions focused on the frequency of dental accidents, their prevention and subsequent procedure. The participating 302 players came from three divisions: semi-professional players of National League A and B (102), amateurs of Regional League 2 and 3 (100) and young people of up to the age of 18 (100). The data were evaluated in relation to division, sex and team function. Of the 331 interviewed persons 102 had already seen a dental trauma in basketball and 55 had already had a dental trauma. Only four of the interviewed persons wore mouthguards. The awareness of the procedure following a dental trauma was unsatisfactory. The results of the survey show that significantly more information and education is required in Swiss basketball not only through sports associations but also through coaches and dentists.