PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Aljohani, Yazan R. AU - Alfaifi, Khalid H. AU - Redwan, Samaa K. AU - Sabbahi, Dania A. AU - Zahran, Mohammed H. TI - Dental injuries in taekwondo athletes practicing in Saudi Arabia AID - 10.15537/smj.2017.11.21111 DP - 2017 Nov 01 TA - Saudi Medical Journal PG - 1143--1147 VI - 38 IP - 11 4099 - http://smj.org.sa/content/38/11/1143.short 4100 - http://smj.org.sa/content/38/11/1143.full SO - Saudi Med J2017 Nov 01; 38 AB - Objectives: To assess the incidence and awareness of taekwondo athletes in Saudi Arabia regarding oral and maxillofacial (OMF) injuries and their prevention.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, an online questionnaire about the incidence and awareness of OMF injuries and their prevention was developed and distributed to taekwondo athletes in Saudi Arabia via their coaches.Results: Sixty-eight responses were collected. The mean age of the participants was 29.3±9.1 years and 97% of them were males. Most of the participants (83%) believed that they are vulnerable to OMF injuries during practice. Approximately 23% of the participants reported a previous injury of the OMF area, while approximately 56% reported injuries in other areas. Most dental injuries (94%) were tooth fracture or displacement, while 6% were tooth avulsion. Eight participants (12%) were aware of the possibility of returning an avulsed tooth to its socket. More than 50% of those participants had inadequate knowledge on the appropriate storage media for the avulsed tooth or the maximum time allowed to return it to its socket. Eighty-one percent of the participants knew about the mouthguard, while 56% reported that they are actually using one. The most frequently reported barriers for not using a mouthguard during practice were difficulty in practicing with it, not being convinced of its importance, and lack of information where to get one.Conclusions: Most of the participants are aware of OMF injuries; however, their knowledge and behavior towards preventing and managing them are inadequate.