2. Guys Play Through Pain ... "Players endure things average patients wouldn't. They'll shrug off chipped teeth or abscesses, because they don't want to lose playing time. 'Whatever it takes' is their motto. Last year, Cam Ward's wisdom tooth bothered him during the playoffs. He wasn't about to miss those games, so we postponed surgery and calmed it with antibiotics."
3. ... To A Point. "This is hockey, so it gets ugly. Once, a player took a stick to the mouth and it pushed in his lower teeth. But they were still attached to his gums, so we were able to reimplant them into the sockets. Another time, a Rangers star had his front tooth knocked out-but just one tooth. How he got hit with so much force in such a small area still boggles me."
4. Sometimes We Need Reinforcements. "There's a division between older and younger guys. Some vets skate with four front teeth missing, but young guys are concerned about cosmetics. Even so, lots of guys won't fix anything until they retire. I try to encourage them not to wait that long. Wives can act as influences. If I can't get through to a guy, I'll appeal to his wife. She'll make sure it happens."
5. Emergencies Happen. We're on call for practices-with all those pucks flying around, there's a high chance of injury. Players get priority access. If the trainer calls, we have them bring the injured guy to our office and we reschedule patients. Some patients are more understanding than others."
6. We Do It for The Love Mostly. "We don't get a direct stipend. We do this for perks: tickets, travel with the team and gifts. But players are covered through a league dental plan and workers' comp. So if we treat an injury, we do get paid."
By Gabriel J. Rich, Hurricanes Team Dentist
(As Told To Anna Katherine Clemmons)
Photograph By Tony Pearce
Article Is Property Of ESPN © 2010
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