When it comes to sporting-related dental injuries among children, it appears that Gaelic football is the biggest culprit.

According to a new survey by the Irish Dental Association (IDA), Gaelic football causes the most sporting-related dental injuries among children, followed by hurling and rugby, which were joint second.

In third place was cycling, a surprising result according to the IDA, as it came ahead of soccer and hockey.

IDA figures indicate that Irish people have one of the highest rates of sport-related oral injuries in the EU. In fact, one in three dental injuries affecting Irish adults are sport-related.

The survey of more than 130 dentists nationwide emphasises the importance of wearing a gum shield or helmet when taking part in sport, according to IDA president, Dr Sean Malone.

Gum shields were made mandatory for juvenile players of Gaelic football last year, however they only became compulsory for adult players on January 1 of this year.

"We welcomed the GAA's gum shield rule when it was introduced but it's important that it is now strictly enforced. The rule in every club for juveniles and adults should be the same - 'no gum shield, no game'. Given these figures, the IDA believes the gum shield rule should also apply to hurling and we hope the GAA will introduce a similar measure for that sport in the near future," Dr Malone said.

Meanwhile, the survey also found that the vast majority of dentists have not increased their prices for the most common dental treatments since January 2010. In fact, some have reduced them.

Dr Malone noted that even though eight in 10 adults are entitled to one free oral exam every year, three-quarters of these are failing to avail of this.

"The fact that fees have remained the same or have been reduced over the last four years will be welcomed by patients. Over 40% of dentists in our survey expect dental attendance to improve in the coming year and we want people to avail of their entitlements and for non-attenders to get back into the habit of having a regular check up," he said.

The results of the survey were discussed at the IDA's Annual Practice Management Seminar at the Dublin Convention Centre at the weekend.