Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41501720›Full record

Observational studyBMC public health2026

Prevalence and risk factors of orofacial trauma among child and adolescent athletes in Damascus, Syria: a cross-sectional study.

Taimaa Riad Hamdan, Lana Alshayeb, Mayssoon Dashash

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in BMC public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

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2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Taimaa Riad HamdanPediatric Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.
Lana AlshayebPediatric Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria. lana.alshayeb@gmail.com.
Mayssoon DashashPediatric Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND

objectiveParticipation in sports among children and adolescents is increasing globally, accompanied by a rising incidence of orofacial dental trauma. However, limited data exist on this public health issue in Syria. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of dental and facial trauma among young athletes in Damascus, Syria.

methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 445 athletes aged 6–16 years, selected through multistage cluster sampling from eleven sports clubs in Damascus. Data collection was conducted through a structured questionnaire and clinical examinations based on World Health Organization guidelines. Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess associations between ODT and demographic, sport-specific, and behavioral variables.

resultsThe prevalence of orofacial dental trauma was 47.4%. Contact sports such as football and basketball showed a higher rate of trauma, while gymnastics and karate had lower rates. Higher risk of orofacial dental trauma was significantly associated with increased training session frequency (OR = 9.121, 95% CI: 3.088–26.942), longer experience years of more than five years (OR = 28.159, 95% CI: 10.270–77.211) (P < 0.001). The use of protective equipment was low, with only 33.9% of athletes reporting any use. However, wearing mouthguards was significantly associated with reduced risk of orofacial dental trauma (OR = 0.286, 95% CI: 0.141–0.577, P < 0.004).

conclusionThe high prevalence of orofacial dental trauma (47.4%) among young athletes in Damascus, influenced by sport type, years of experience, training session frequency, and inconsistent use of protective gear, underscores the urgent need for preventive strategies. These include enforcing mandatory protective equipment policies, implementing educational programs, and conducting regular oral health screenings in sports settings. The findings provide a foundation for future research and policy development aimed at reducing oral injuries in youth sports.

Indexed as

AthletesAthletic InjuriesFacial InjuriesTooth InjuriesAdolescentChildCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMalePrevalenceRisk FactorsSurveys and QuestionnairesSyriaAthletesOrofacial dental traumaPrevalenceProtective equipmentSport

Identifiers

PMID41501720
PMCPMC12870825

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.