Mouthguard could have prevented surgery for footballer

Surgery required by Newcastle Jets’ goalkeeper Mark Birighitti could have been avoided if he had worn a mouthguard, according to Dr Peter Alldritt, Chair of ADA’s Oral Health Committee.

In the A-League match, Birighitti lost several teeth when he was tackled by Sydney striker Shane Smeltz on Saturday night. The striker’s foot caught the 24-year-old goalkeeper full in the face.  ADAVB wishes Birighitti well for recovery from his serious injuries.

ADA and Sports Medicine Australia earlier this year joined forces to seek compulsory wearing of  mouthguards in all contact sports. The wearing of mouthguards was a feature of this year’s Dental Health Week.