SIMPLE ORAL HEALTH STEPS HELP IMPROVE ELITE ATHLETES' PERFORMANCE-PART III Researchers designed a behavioral change program aimed at better educating elite athletes about oral health and providing some simple interventions to improve their daily oral health routines. Improvements in sporting performance were measured using an Overuse Injury Questionnaire, developed to monitor illness and injury in elite athletes, adapted to focus on oral health, asking the extent to which the oral health problem affected 1) sports participation, 2) training volume; 3) sporting performance; and 4) the extent to which the individual has experienced oral pain. As a result of the behavioral change program there was a statistically significant reduction in problems associated with oral health and sporting performance. In addition, the number (proportion) of athletes who reported a O (zero) score, meaning they had no negative sporting impact from oral health conditions, increased from 32 (51.6%) at baseline to 54 (98 .2 % ) at the end of the study Through previous research and focus group sessions, the study authors established that athletes' motivations for taking part in the study were both appearance and athletic performance, with many keen to avoid gum inflammation affecting other parts of their bodies, which can happen in serious cases. There are a number of reasons athletes are more likely to have poor oral health: physical activity causes a dry mouth, which in the long-term increases risk of tooth decay and gum diseases, along with frequent sugar intakes from normal diet and energy supplements. Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave., Suite 130, Downers Grove, IL 60515 630-663-0554 SM-CL 1851490 SIMPLE ORAL HEALTH STEPS HELP IMPROVE ELITE ATHLETES' PERFORMANCE-PART III Researchers designed a behavioral change program aimed at better educating elite athletes about oral health and providing some simple interventions to improve their daily oral health routines. Improvements in sporting performance were measured using an Overuse Injury Questionnaire, developed to monitor illness and injury in elite athletes, adapted to focus on oral health, asking the extent to which the oral health problem affected 1) sports participation, 2) training volume; 3) sporting performance; and 4) the extent to which the individual has experienced oral pain. As a result of the behavioral change program there was a statistically significant reduction in problems associated with oral health and sporting performance. In addition, the number (proportion) of athletes who reported a O (zero) score, meaning they had no negative sporting impact from oral health conditions, increased from 32 (51.6%) at baseline to 54 (98 .2 % ) at the end of the study Through previous research and focus group sessions, the study authors established that athletes' motivations for taking part in the study were both appearance and athletic performance, with many keen to avoid gum inflammation affecting other parts of their bodies, which can happen in serious cases. There are a number of reasons athletes are more likely to have poor oral health: physical activity causes a dry mouth, which in the long-term increases risk of tooth decay and gum diseases, along with frequent sugar intakes from normal diet and energy supplements. Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave., Suite 130, Downers Grove, IL 60515 630-663-0554 SM-CL 1851490