Call for gumshields to be made compulsory

THE Irish Dental Association last night called for gumshields to be made compulsory in the GAA.

Figures from the IDA indicate one third of all adult dental injuries are sports-related, with Ireland having one of the highest rates of sports-related oral injuries in the EU.

Endodontist, Dr Pat Cleary, said that the wearing of gumshields is normal practice in many sports and believes a similar mindset must be adopted by Croke Park chiefs.