title: Knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding oro-facial injuries and oro-facial protective devices among physical instructors in Bangalore.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sports specific dental injuries are seen to occur frequently among children and young athletes. Dental injury is a distressing event often causing psychological as well as physical problems. The risk of children getting dental injuries during sports activities can be minimized by using a mouth guard and other oro-facial protective devices. The aim of this study is to determine the knowledge, attitude and practices of physical instructors in Bangalore, regarding oro-facial injuries and orofacial protective devices.
  
  
  METHODS
  A self-completion questionnaire was sent to 50 physical instructors of schools, sports academies and gymnasiums situated in the South of Bangalore city. The questionnaire sought information about the knowledge of the incidence of oro-facial injuries, common sports causing oro-facial injuries and oro-facial protective devices and their role in the prevention of injuries. The data was subjected to statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The population under study comprised of 92 males and 8 females. About 38% of oro-facial injuries were reported by physical instructors in the previous year. Physical instructors had knowledge regarding oro-facial protective devices like mouth guards (54%) and helmet (40%). The attitude and practice regarding the usage of mouth guards was found to be minimal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The physical instructors had knowledge especially through the media on the protective effectiveness of mouth guards in reducing the oro facial injuries. Despite their awareness, only 4% of them recommended the mandatory use of the mouth guards. Majority of them could not recommend its usage as they were unaware of its availability and the reason for not using the mouth is its improper fitting. How to cite the article: Neeraja G, Bharadwaj S, Shah K, Subramaniam P. Knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding oro-facial injuries and oro-facial protective devices among physical instructors in Bangalore. J Int Oral Health 2014;6(3):1-6.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry, The Oxford Dental College & Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Neeraja
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry, The Oxford Dental College & Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Srivats
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bharadwaj
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry, The Oxford Dental College & Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Kinjal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry, The Oxford Dental College & Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Priya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Subramaniam
keywords: Oro-facial injuries; oro-facial protective devices; physical instructors
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