Radiological findings at XV-Pan-American and III-Parapan-American Games Rio de Janeiro-2007

Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the oral health status in athletes competing at the XV-Pan-American Games (PAN) and III-Parapanamerican-Games (PARAPAN) in Rio de Janeiro – 2007 using digital panoramic radiographs.

Methods: The study was approved by the appropriate institutional review board. Invitations were sent to over 7,000 athletes (5,500 at PAN and 1,500 at PARAPAN) and to their respective Medical Committees before and during the Games. Digital panoramic radiographs (KODAK/8000C, Carestream Health, CA) were taken from 480 randomly recruited athletes: 362 from PAN, mean age 24 (sd ±5.23), 54.70% males, and 118 from PARAPAN, mean age 32.51(sd ±9.69), 77.97% males. All radiographs were examined by one trained professional, using specific software (Kodak Dental Imaging Software v6.7, CA), and differences between proportions at PAN and PARAPAN were calculated (alpha=0.05).

Results:

Oral radiological findings	Number of observations (%) /  average number of observations p/ athlete at PAN	Number  of observations (%) / average number of observations p/ athlete at PARAPAN
Absent teeth	707 (6.10%)/ 1.95*	401 (10.62%)/ 3.40*
Restored teeth	1999 (17.26%)/ 5.52	670 (17.74%)/ 5.68
Teeth w/ caries	231 (1.99%)/ 0.64	62 (1.64%)/ 0.53
Teeth w/ extense caries and periapical lesion	89 (0.77%)/ 0.25*	50 (1.32%)/ 0.42*
Teeth w/ endodontic treatment and periapical lesion	20 (0.17%)/ 0.06	13 (0.34%)/ 0.11
Residual roots	26 (0.22%)/ 0.07*	22 (0.58%)/ 0.19 *

* p<0.05

Two athletes at PAN and two at PARAPAN showed sinus retention cysts. In addition, two vision-impaired PARAPAN athletes showed scattered bullet fragments on the face. Athletes at PARAPAN showed significantly higher proportions of absent teeth, teeth with caries and periapical lesions, and residual roots (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Dental treatment should be considered as an important part of Panamerican and Parapanamerican athletes preparations before the Games. Digital panoramic radiographs are valuable tools for screening large populations at major sports events.