Oral and facial trauma among paratroopers in the Israel Defense Forces.
BACKGROUND
Military fighters are one of the highest risk populations for dental and oro-facial trauma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and etiology of oro-facial injuries among active duty paratroopers in the Israeli Defense Forces.


METHODS
Paratroopers from selected companies were interviewed using a structured questionnaire regarding oro-facial trauma during active service years. The study consisted of 311 male paratroopers, with a mean age of 21.1 years (+/- 1.7). Mean duration of military service until the study was conducted was 25.9 months (+/- 6.9).


RESULTS
Oro-facial injuries during military service was found in 87 (28.0%) of the participants, with an incidence rate of 129.6 cases per 1000-fighter-years. Extra-oral lacerations (lip, chin, cheek/facial muscles) were the most common injury. Tooth injuries were reported by 48 of the participants, of whom 44 (50.6%) suffered from dental fractures and four (4.6%) from subluxation/luxation. Most oro-facial injuries occurred in an isolated training or operational field. Thirty-seven participants (42.5%) reported postevent disturbance and 10 (11.5%) reported loss of operative activities because of the event (mean 8.6 +/- 4.0 day loss).


CONCLUSIONS
Military paratroopers are highly predisposed to oro-facial trauma. Besides the physical and mental associated damage, these injuries result in the interference of their continuous daily activity. Prevention, mouth-guard usage and treatment intervention are two important actions that should be adopted to reduce trauma and its interference.
Zadik
Yehuda
Y
Zrifin Central Dental Clinic, and The Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, Medical Corps, Israel Defense Forces, and Department of Oral Medicine, Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel.
Levin
Liran
L
D001359:Aviation; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D009055:Mouth / Q000293:injuries; D009064:Mouth Protectors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D018677:Tooth Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult