Epidemiology and prediction of sports-related traumatic injuries.

All sports injuries, and this is certainly true of dentally related sports injuries, occur for predictable reasons. In some instances, these predictors have been well studied and are recognized by participants as well as coaches, dentists, and other responsible parties. In other instances, there is much to be learned about these predictors. There is no question that predictors have direct influence upon the incidence and prevalence data for dental injuries related to each sport. Because of the variability of these predictors from one sport to another, from one sports participant to another, from one age group to another, and even from on playground, field, or court to another, the importance and validity and usefulness of much of the data available currently is debatable. The importance of sports dentistry is not based solely on the urgency afforded by a given number of injuries among a specified number of participants over a certain amount of time. It is the predictable nature of these injuries and the need for the profession to take responsible action in their prevention and treatment that provides the strongest imperative for a sports dentistry movement.