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Dental and jaw injuries sustained by hooligans.
Michel Sekulic1, Sebastian Kühl1, Thomas Connert2
1Center of Dental Traumatology and Department of Oral Surgery, Oral Radiology and Oral Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Summary
Hooligans experience frequent dental injuries during fights. Wearing custom-fitted mouthguards significantly reduces tooth loss compared to non-fitted ones.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Traumatology
- Forensic Dentistry
Background:
- Fighting, particularly within the hooligan subculture, presents a high risk of severe physical trauma.
- Dental injuries are a common consequence of such violent confrontations, ranging from minor damage to severe fractures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and patterns of fighting-related dental injuries among hooligans.
- To assess the effectiveness of mouthguard usage in mitigating dental trauma in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey utilizing standardized multiple-choice questionnaires was conducted anonymously among hooligans in Switzerland (2012-2013).
- Data collected included demographics, injury patterns, and types of mouthguards used during violent incidents.
Main Results:
- Out of 95 surveyed hooligans, 82 reported dental injuries (29 minor, 53 severe).
- 37 participants reported wearing mouthguards during fights, with custom-made or boil-and-bite types being most common.
- Hooligans using custom-fitted mouthguards experienced significantly less tooth loss (P=0.056) than those using non-fitted versions.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms a high prevalence of dental and other severe injuries in hooligans involved in fights.
- A notable proportion of hooligans utilize mouthguards, with individually fitted types demonstrating a protective effect against tooth loss.