Gumshields may become compulsory
As reported by the Irish Examiner last November, it is anticipated the GAA will introduce the compulsory wearing of the dental protection on a phased basis next year, similar to how helmets were brought in from minor level initially.
The GPA’s offer on the website reads: “A properly fitting gumshield can help prevent serious injuries such as broken teeth, jaw fractures and neck injuries by helping to avoid situations where the lower jaw gets slammed against the upper jaw. Gumshields are effective in moving soft tissue in the oral cavity away from the teeth, preventing laceration and bruising of the lips and cheeks.
“From January 2011, as part of the GPA Health & Wellbeing Programme we will offer all senior inter-county footballers a free customised fitted gumshield through a GPA provider.
“Providers will attend an inter-county training session of your manager’s choice to take an impression of each player’s mouth. The impression will be taken away, made and at a second session the customised gumshield will be fitted and can be altered on the spot to ensure the fit is comfortable.”
The GAA are said to be keen to bring in the wearing of gumshields as a rule in an attempt to curb mounting costs of insurance payouts.
The cost of replacing one missing front tooth is approximately €2,500, which has to be replaced every 10 to 15 years. A number of high-profile footballers have sustained serious dental injuries recently. In last year’s Allianz League game against Kerry, Cork defender Eoin Cadogan had a fractured tooth removed while Kerry’s Aidan O’Mahony also lost a number of teeth during a training session.
A motion by Mayo’s Westport GAA club calling for gumshields to be made compulsory in all matches and training sessions was withdrawn from the Clár of last year’s Congress pending input from the medical, scientific and welfare committee.
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