rki.news
Doha, Qatar: 20th September 2026 – Aspetar, Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, has contributed to the development of the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) newly approved AFC Sports Dentistry Guideline for Dental Health and On-field Management of Dental Emergencies, strengthening efforts to protect the health and welfare of footballers across Asia.
Approved by the AFC Medical Committee, the guidelines provide a practical, evidence-informed framework to support oral health, prevent and manage orofacial injuries, and improve the on-field response to dental trauma in football. They are intended to serve as a reference for AFC Member Associations and healthcare professionals working with players throughout the continent.
The initiative was led by Dr. Mohammed Alsaey, Chair of the AFC Sports Dentistry Advisory Group and Director of Sports Dentistry at Aspetar. Developed in collaboration with sports dentistry specialists from across Asia.
Dato’ Dr. Gurcharan Singh, Chairperson of the AFC Medical Committee, said:
“The AFC Sports Dentistry Guidelines represent a landmark step in advancing athlete healthcare across Asian football. Developed through the expertise and dedication of the AFC Sports Dentistry Advisory Group, these guidelines provide our Member Associations with a practical framework to enhance player welfare, prevent orofacial injuries, and promote long-term oral health. We commend the team for their outstanding contribution to a project that will benefit football communities throughout Asia.”
The guidelines reflect the increasing recognition that oral health is closely connected to overall athlete wellbeing. By bringing dental prevention, screening, emergency preparedness and clinical best practice into football medicine systems, the framework aims to help teams provide more consistent and timely care for players.
Dr. Mohammed Alsaey, Chair of the AFC Sports Dentistry Advisory Group and Director of Sports Dentistry at Aspetar said:
“Good oral health is fundamental to athlete wellbeing, performance and long-term health. The approval of these guidelines is an important milestone for sports dentistry and Asian football. This collaborative project brought together leading experts from across the continent to establish clear, evidence-based recommendations for dental care in football. By strengthening prevention, education and clinical best practice, the guidelines will help protect players, enhance their wellbeing and raise the standard of care available to players at every level of the game.”
Aspetar’s contribution reflects its longstanding commitment to advancing specialist sports medicine and translating clinical expertise into practical standards for athletes and sporting organisations. Dr. Alsaey leads Aspetar’s Sports Dentistry Department and has previously developed sports dentistry screening program and national clinical guidance on the management of orofacial injuries in professional sport in Qatar.
The new AFC guidelines represent a significant step for football medicine in Asia, placing dental health and emergency dental care more firmly within the wider approach to player safety, health and performance.
