RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Dental injuries in taekwondo athletes practicing in Saudi Arabia JF Saudi Medical Journal JO Saudi Med J FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City SP 1143 OP 1147 DO 10.15537/smj.2017.11.21111 VO 38 IS 11 A1 Aljohani, Yazan R. A1 Alfaifi, Khalid H. A1 Redwan, Samaa K. A1 Sabbahi, Dania A. A1 Zahran, Mohammed H. YR 2017 UL http://smj.org.sa/content/38/11/1143.abstract 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.