Project Mouthguard.

Abstract

The increasing incidence of injuries is a major health problem in the United States. Many of these injuries are orofacial trauma that result from sports activities. The dental profession can play an important role in preventing many of these injuries. Working together with athletic trainers, coaches, parents and teachers, dental health professionals can help develop effective sports dentistry programs in schools and colleges. Project Mouthguard is an example of such a coordinated approach to this health problem. By providing custom mouthguards to the state's high school athletes and promoting awareness among all Illinois youth of the benefits of wearing mouth protection during sports activities, this program hopes to significantly reduce the number of orofacial injuries in the state.