Objective: To determine mouthguard use and the history of sport-related injuries among Aboriginal athletes participating in the 2002 North American Indigenous Games. Methods: A convenience sample of athletes completed a self-administered questionnaire addressing mouthguard use, knowledge of benefits, and history of sport-related dental injuries. Results: A total of 163 athletes, mean age 19.6 years (SD 6.3), consented to the survey. Most athletes were from Canada (81.0%), with the majority being male (75.9%). The study revealed that 129 participants (80.1%) had worn a mouthguard at some time during athletic competition or practice with 20 athletes (16.3%) employing a custom-fabricated mouthguard. History of at least one oro-facial injury during athletic competition or practice was reported by 51 participants (33.1%). The most common injury, a lacerated lip, was reported by 45 athletes (27.7%). Of the 51 athletes with a history of oro-facial injury, 20 (39.2%) reported having a tooth injury; 11 of which (55%) were not wearing a mouthguard at the time of the injury. One hundred and forty-six participants (78.1%) believed that mouthguards prevent concussions; while 42 athletes (32.8%) indicated that one of the reasons they wear a mouthguard is to prevent concussions. Conclusions: Histories of mouthguard use and oro-facial injury were common in this population, although mouthguard use was not consistent. Knowledge of the reasons for mouthguard use was high.

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