Ian Needleman1, Paul Ashley2, Lyndon Meehan3, Aviva Petrie4, Richard Weiler5, Steve McNally6, Chris Ayer7, Rob Hanna8, Ian Hunt9, Steven Kell10, Paul Ridgewell11, Russell Taylor12. 1. Unit of Periodontology, International Centre for Evidence-Based Oral Health, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, London, UK. 2. Unit of Paediatric Dentistry, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, London, UK. 3. Parade House Dental Centre, Cardiff, UK. 4. Unit of Biostatistics, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, London, UK. 5. West Ham United Football Club, Sports Medicine & Sports Science Department, West Ham United FC Training Ground, Chadwell Heath, Essex, UK University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust & UCLH Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health, London, UK The FA Centre for Disability Football Research, Burton-Upon-Trent, UK. 6. Football Medicine & Science Department, Manchester United Football Club, Manchester, UK. 7. Ayer Surgery, Hull, UK. 8. Southampton, UK. 9. Maple Dental Care, Manchester, UK. 10. Lewes High Street Dental Practice, Lewes, UK. 11. Swansea, UK. 12. Sheffield, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The few studies that have assessed oral health in professional/elite football suggest poor oral health with minimal data on impact on performance. The aim of this research was to determine oral health in a representative sample of professional footballers in the UK and investigate possible determinants of oral health and self-reported impact on well-being, training and performance. METHODS: Clinical oral health examination of senior squad players using standard methods and outcomes carried out at club training facilities. Questionnaire data were also collected. 8 teams were included, 5 Premier League, 2 Championship and 1 League One. RESULTS: 6 dentists examined 187 players who represented >90% of each senior squad. Oral health was poor: 37% players had active dental caries, 53% dental erosion and 5% moderate-severe irreversible periodontal disease. 45% were bothered by their oral health, 20% reported an impact on their quality of life and 7% on training or performance. Despite attendance for dental check-ups, oral health deteriorated with age. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first large, representative sample study in professional football. Oral health of professional footballers is poor, and this impacts on well-being and performance. Successful strategies to promote oral health within professional football are urgently needed, and research should investigate models based on best evidence for behaviour change and implementation science. Furthermore, this study provides strong evidence to support oral health screening within professional football. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/
BACKGROUND: The few studies that have assessed oral health in professional/elite football suggest poor oral health with minimal data on impact on performance. The aim of this research was to determine oral health in a representative sample of professional footballers in the UK and investigate possible determinants of oral health and self-reported impact on well-being, training and performance. METHODS: Clinical oral health examination of senior squad players using standard methods and outcomes carried out at club training facilities. Questionnaire data were also collected. 8 teams were included, 5 Premier League, 2 Championship and 1 League One. RESULTS: 6 dentists examined 187 players who represented >90% of each senior squad. Oral health was poor: 37% players had active dental caries, 53% dental erosion and 5% moderate-severe irreversible periodontal disease. 45% were bothered by their oral health, 20% reported an impact on their quality of life and 7% on training or performance. Despite attendance for dental check-ups, oral health deteriorated with age. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first large, representative sample study in professional football. Oral health of professional footballers is poor, and this impacts on well-being and performance. Successful strategies to promote oral health within professional football are urgently needed, and research should investigate models based on best evidence for behaviour change and implementation science. Furthermore, this study provides strong evidence to support oral health screening within professional football. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/
Authors: João Botelho; Filipa Vicente; Laura Dias; André Júdice; Paula Pereira; Luís Proença; Vanessa Machado; Leandro Chambrone; José João Mendes Journal: Nutrients Date: 2021-05-25 Impact factor: 5.717