A pilot study of the prevalence of orofacial and head injuries in schoolboy cricketers at eight private schools in England and Australia.

Aims: The aims of this pilot study were to determine the prevalence of head, face and dental injuries sustained by schoolboys while playing cricket and to compare the prevalence of those injuries in England and Australia.

Methods: A questionnaire that determined distribution and prevalence of orofacial injuries sustained when playing cricket was distributed to all players (n=411) who played cricket in four private schools in England and four private schools in Australia. There was a 100% response rate.

Results: Fifty subjects (24.1%) from English schools and 52 subjects (25.5%) from Australian schools reported injury/injuries to the head, face and teeth. Australian cricketers reported more injuries per player. The distribution of injuries between the two countries was similar. Sixteen players had sustained loosened or broken teeth. Two players reported avulsed teeth.

Conclusion: It was concluded that there was a high prevalence of head and orofacial injuries among the schoolboy cricketers but relatively few dental injuries. The distribution of types of head, face and dental injury in England and Australia were similar.