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Trauma

39 - Athletic Trainers Are Not Prepared for Traumatic Dental Injuries

Friday, May 22, 2026
11:00 AM - 11:15 AM PST
Has Audio

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Emma Cullen, DDS

    Pediatric Dental Resident
    Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center Hospital, Cincinnati, OH
    Cincinnati Children's Hospital
    Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Cristina Kossak, DAT, MBA, LAT, ATC, CES

    Associate Head Athletic Trainer
    University of Pennsylvania
    Philadelphia , Pennsylvania, United States

  • Sarat Thikkurissy, DDS, MS, MA (he/him/his)

    Professor
    Cincinnati Children's Hospital
    Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • Scott Schwartz, DDS, MPH

    Associate Professor
    Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center Hospital, Cincinnati, OH
    Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
    Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Abstract:

Purpose: One-third of childhood dental injuries are sports-related. Prognosis is associated with time to obtain emergency care. Research demonstrates that non-dental healthcare providers have limited ability and awareness to manage time-sensitive traumatic dental injuries. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if athletic trainers (ATs) have resources available on-site to triage and manage traumatic dental injuries (TDIs).


Methods: This IRB approved cross-sectional survey was developed with and distributed to certified members of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA).
Results: Data were collected from 135 member respondents (response rate 4.5%) who completed a 12-question survey. Nearly all (91%) had a master’s or doctorate degree with 63% in practice for over ten years. While 45% covered high school athletes, involvement extended to middle school, professional sports, performing arts and construction. Less than half (43%) had an on-site dental emergency kit. While respondents had 77% of all medical items listed in the NATA position statement, they had an average of 10% of dental specific items. ATs who covered exclusively high school were significantly less likely to have dental contact than those who exclusively covered collegiate (p < .0001). Collegiate ATs were significantly more likely to have a dental emergency kit.


Conclusions: Many athletic trainers lacked on-site dental emergency resources recommended by NATA and did not have established, reliable dental referral contacts for the timely management of TDIs. ATs are interested in and should consider additional training to prepare for dental injuries in the athletic setting.

Identify Supporting Agency and Grant Number: Research supported by Elevate Oral Care.