AFC and Aspetar Collaborate to Boost Dental Health for Asian Footballers

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has joined forces with Aspetar, an orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital, as well as one of FIFA and AFC Medical Centres of Excellence. The partnership aims to introduce an innovative program dedicated to the oral and dental health of footballers in Asia.

In a significant move towards player safety, the AFC and Aspetar have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop education and research initiatives. The primary focus of this collaboration is to enhance awareness of oral and dental health among football players, as well as improve on-field management of dental injuries.

Dr Gurcharan Singh, Chairperson of the AFC Medical Committee, expressed confidence in the partnership, stating, “Aspetar is one of the best institutions in research and education, and we believe their expertise will assist us in developing football in Asia.”

Establishment of AFC Sports Dentistry Board

As part of their collaborative efforts, Aspetar will play a pivotal role in the establishment of the AFC Sports Dentistry Board. This board will comprise experts from diverse Asian countries, with Dr Mohammed Alsaey, Director of Aspetar Sports Dentistry, leading the team. Their collective knowledge and expertise will be utilized to enhance the management of oral injuries and raise awareness of oral health within the realm of football.

Dr Abulaziz Jaham Al Kuwari, Aspetar CEO and member of the AFC Medical Committee, expressed pride in this initiative, saying, “Aspetar is proud to partner with the Asian Football Confederation in this ground-breaking initiative to prioritize the oral and dental health of footballers in Asia.”

Clinical Guidelines for Football Dentistry

In addition to their collaboration on dental health, the AFC and Aspetar will collaborate on the development of clinical guidelines for Dental Injuries in Football. These guidelines will serve as a resource for professionals practicing Football Dentistry, allowing standardized and effective management of dental injuries.

Furthermore, the partnership hopes to establish an educational platform for industry leaders to exchange ideas and share best practices. This platform will enable the dissemination of valuable knowledge and foster continuous improvement in the field of oral and dental health for football players.

Dr Mohammed Alsaey, Director of Sports Dentistry and Consultant in Oral Surgery at Aspetar, expressed his pride in leading such a significant project, stating, “It’s an honor for us to be involved in such a big project, and we will utilize our expertise and efforts to improve oral injuries management and oral health awareness in football.”

This collaboration between the AFC and Aspetar reportedly marks a significant step forward in prioritizing the oral and dental health of Asian footballers. By combining their resources and expertise, the two organizations aim to enhance player safety and raise awareness of oral health in the sport.