02 March 2021
Mouthguard March is on now!
Mouthguard March is happening now! Eligible families can claim their Get Active Kids vouchers to help with the cost of mouthguards.
Every year, thousands of people are treated for injuries that could have been prevented by wearing a properly fitted mouthguard, many needing visits to hospital emergency departments and extensive dental treatment. In Victoria, sports are the most common cause of injury to teenagers and young adults requiring a hospital visit, accounting for 20.9% of all accidents. Injuries to the mouth and jaw are some of the most common sporting injuries, including broken jaw, cuts to the mouth, chipped, broken and knocked out teeth.
The eviDent Foundation is seeking to turn this around with their Mouthguard March campaign. The campaign aims to remind parents and players of the importance of wearing a custom-fitted mouthguard during sport.
The Melbourne Rebels, Melbourne Football Club and Tribute Boxing are on board to increase awareness of the importance of properly fitted mouthguards, and as campaign ambassadors they will help promote the campaign.
Dental practices can join the eviDent campaign and pledge to donate* $10 per mouthguard fitted by their practice in March, to the eviDent Foundation.
Mouthguard March practitioner and eviDent Board member, Dr Jeremy Sternson, said, “Dental trauma at a young age has severe repercussions . I joined eviDent’s Mouthguard March to help share awareness of dental trauma and to benefit the many young budding sport stars of the future”.
Dental practices in Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland are eligible to participate.
Families have been given an extra incentive to get their children’s mouthguards properly fitted, with the Victorian Government’s Get Active Kids Voucher Program announced yesterday. Eligible families can apply for a $200 voucher per eligible child via the Victorian Government Get Active Kids Voucher Program to help cover the cost of sporting equipment, including mouthguards. Mouthguards can be claimed for the following sports where the child is eligible:
- AFL
- Boxing
- Football (soccer)
- Gridiron
- Hockey
- Karate
- Kung Fu
- Lacrosse
- Rugby League
- Rugby Union
- Touch
- Underwater hockey
- Wrestling
*Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.
Further information
Participating practices: evident.org.au/about/our-supporters
About the campaign: evident.org.au/get-involved/2021-mouthguard-march
Victorian Government Get Active Voucher Program: getactive.vic.gov.au/vouchers
