Role of the Sports Dentist in a Multi-Disciplinary Team
A sports dentist plays a vital role in ensuring the complete health and performance of an athlete. To provide comprehensive care, the dentist must collaborate closely with various sports science professionals, administrators, and coaches. Here’s how these collaborations work:
1. Coordination with Sports Physician
- The dentist and sports physician must work together for health issues related to sleep, cardiovascular health, diabetes, body deficiencies, injuries, and overall performance.
- Dental screening should be conducted during medical screening camps, as oral issues can often be linked to general health problems.
- This joint screening helps identify if any systemic condition is influenced by oral health.
2. Communication with Coaches
- Dentists must stay in regular touch with coaches to monitor dental concerns and emphasize preventive treatments.
- In many clubs, physicians may not be available daily, so it is crucial to gather information from the coach about:
- Type of sport played
- Training hours
- Dietary habits or other routines that may affect oral health
- This helps the dentist suggest the right mouthguard and preventive care for the athlete.
3. Collaboration with Sports Nutritionist
- A joint approach between the dentist and nutritionist is now essential.
- During a dental assessment, the sports dentist must take a diet history and discuss necessary modifications with the nutritionist.
- Example: If an athlete’s diet is causing decay or erosion, it must be adjusted for better oral and overall health.
- If an athlete has severe dental issues due to eating disorders, the nutritionist can accompany the athlete to dental appointments to aid treatment planning.
4. Discussion with Sports Psychologist
- The dentist should consult the sports psychologist for cases involving:
- Bruxism (teeth grinding)
- Severe stress
- Eating disorders and dental erosion
- Suspected drug abuse or tobacco withdrawal
- PTSD due to dento-facial trauma
- Psychological stress can lead to symptoms like insomnia, jaw pain, and headaches, often related to bruxism.
- A nightguard may be prescribed, but addressing the mental health root cause requires psychologist involvement.
5. Integration with Sports Physiotherapist
- In cases of buccal respiration, frequent falls, or recurring Achilles tendinosis, the dentist should involve the physiotherapist.
- A history of recurrent dental infection might be linked to slow-healing tendon injuries like the Achilles tendon.
- Chronic gum disease can spread inflammation through the body, hindering recovery from sports injuries.
Conclusion
To ensure holistic well-being of athletes, it is essential for sports dentists to be part of the multidisciplinary healthcare team. They must work in tandem with physicians, coaches, nutritionists, psychologists, and physiotherapists.
At the same time, athletes and coaches must understand the interconnection between oral health and overall performance, and support the multi-disciplinary treatment approach for the athlete’s success and longevity in sport.
