ADA Webinar Highlights the Expanding Role of Sports Dentistry in Athlete Health

The American Dental Association recently presented “Sports Dentistry Triple Play: Women Athletes, Triage Training and Injury Prevention,” a three-part continuing education webinar focused on the dentist’s growing role within the athlete healthcare team.

Held on July 10, 2026, the program explored how oral health, emergency preparedness and injury-prevention standards can support athletes across different ages, sports and levels of competition.

A Broader View of Women’s Health and Athletic Performance

One of the webinar’s most important contributions was its focus on the oral and systemic health considerations affecting women athletes.

The presentation examined how hormonal status may influence periodontal health, while also addressing temporomandibular disorders, sleep-disordered breathing and the relationship between oral health, psychological well-being, training, performance and recovery.

These discussions reinforce the importance of evaluating the whole athlete rather than treating oral health as an isolated area of care. Sports dentists can help identify concerns that may affect comfort, nutrition, sleep, recovery and an athlete’s ability to perform consistently.

Improving Readiness for Dental Trauma

Dental trauma remains one of the most visible and time-sensitive responsibilities in sports dentistry. The webinar reviewed current approaches to injury assessment, triage and emergency decision-making, including the use of guidance from the International Association of Dental Traumatology and the American Association of Endodontists.

For dentists supporting athletic programs, preparation is critical. A clear emergency action plan, proper supplies, established referral relationships and familiarity with current trauma protocols can all influence the outcome following a sports-related dental injury.

The session emphasized that the team dentist’s role extends beyond responding after an injury occurs. Dentists can also help coaches, athletic trainers, parents and other healthcare professionals understand what to do during the first critical moments following dental trauma.

Raising Standards for Mouthguard Protection

The final portion of the program focused on oral health advocacy and evolving standards in mouthguard design, fit and clinical oversight.

Effective mouthguard therapy involves more than simply providing an athlete with a protective device. Professionally guided mouthguard selection and fabrication can help address fit, retention, comfort, breathing, communication and the specific risks associated with an athlete’s sport and level of participation.

The webinar highlighted the value of prescriptive mouthguard therapy and the responsibility dentists have to advocate for stronger protection standards within teams, schools and communities.

Sports Dentistry as an Essential Part of Sports Medicine

Together, the three sessions demonstrated how sports dentistry contributes to prevention, emergency preparedness, interdisciplinary care and long-term athlete wellness.

The program featured presentations from:

• Kent L. Ochiai, D.D.S., Ph.D.
• Ashley Choi, D.D.S.
• Karey Kusuhara, D.D.S.
• Rafael A. Roges, D.D.S.

The Academy for Sports Dentistry was pleased to see sports dentistry, and the specific healthcare needs of women athletes, featured through an ADA continuing education program. Programs like this help expand awareness of the field while giving dental professionals practical knowledge they can apply in their practices and athletic communities.

As sports dentistry continues to evolve, dentists have an important opportunity to improve athlete safety, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration and advocate for oral health as an essential component of overall health and performance.