title: A rubber-covered ceramic weapon reduces the incidence of dental trauma in recruits during combat basic training.
abstract: The effect of a rubber-covered ceramic weapon was assessed on the incidence of dental trauma during basic training, since soldiers are more at risk of impact from a personal weapon. Dental files of soldiers (n = 4,542), who completed 8 months of training during 2008, were analyzed for incidence and type of dental trauma from a personal weapon. A rubber-covered ceramic weapon (n = 2,972) or a conventional one (n = 1,570, control) was used. Dental trauma was 0.4% per 8 months (0.6% per year) from the ceramic weapon and 1.5% per 8 months (2.3% per year) from the conventional one (p<0.001). The most prevalent type of injury was a simple/noncomplicated crown fracture (82% in study group, 75% in control group). The ceramic weapon significantly reduced dental trauma by diminishing the impact while in direct contact with the teeth or by absorbing and/or distributing the impact force. In conclusion, when possible a rubber-covered ceramic weapon should be preferred for basic combat training.
authors: Center of Dentistry, Medical Corps, Israel Defense Force, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
authors: Talia
authors: T
authors: Becker
authors: Malka
authors: M
authors: Ashkenazi
mesh_terms: D002516:Ceramics; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D012408:Rubber; D014084:Tooth Avulsion / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014082:Tooth Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D018677:Tooth Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D054041:Weapons
chemical_list: D012408:Rubber