From 9:00 a.m. until noon, dental students, under the supervision of faculty, will make the free, customized mouth guards at the dental school located at 1011 N. University Avenue (directly across the street from the Michigan League).

No appointment is necessary. However, because of the time needed to make the mouth guards and ensure a proper fit on student athletes, only 120 mouth guards will be made that day.

Amateur athletes, ages 5 and older who plan to participate in fall or winter sports including football, basketball, ice hockey, or soccer, should be fitted. Parents or guardians who have had their children fitted for braces are also invited. Student dentists and faculty carefully work with children with braces.

Important Parking Note

Because the Fletcher Street parking garage is closed for repair, visitors can park in the "Visitors' Area" of the Palmer Street parking garage. After leaving their vehicle, they will walk to the north elevator, take it to the "Plaza" level, and then walk across the plaza to the School of Dentistry.

Patients should enter the dental school building from North University Avenue and proceed to the information desk on the first floor. Students will direct patients to clinics on the second floor where the impressions will be taken.

What Will Happen

All student athletes (or a parent/guardian for students who are not yet 18) will be required to fill out a brief medical history and consent form. When the form is completed, the student athlete will be given a number. When that number is called, he or she will then choose the color of their mouth guard and will spend about 15 or 20 minutes in a dental chair as a student dentist takes an impression. Because of the popularity of the program, there could be a wait of 30 minutes for a chair, depending on the size of the crowd.

Once the impression has been taken, the athlete or their parent(s)/guardian(s) will be able to pick up the finished product about two hours later. However, before leaving, the student athlete will try on the mouth guard, in the presence of a student dentist who is supervised by a faculty member, to ensure a proper fit. If necessary, final adjustments will be made at that time.

"It's Important"

Dr. William Godwin, professor emeritus of dentistry who is considered by many to be "the father of the customized mouth guard," said, "It's important for student athletes to be properly fitted with this vital piece of equipment. The mouth guard helps to blunt the force of an impact caused by contact or falls. In addition, the mouth guard not only helps save teeth, it also helps minimize head and neck injuries, such as concussions and jaw fractures."

Godwin also said the customized mouth guards made by dental students are "considerably more comfortable than those that are sold at stores. The more comfortable the mouth guards are, the more likely it is the kids will wear them."

In addition to U-M dental students and faculty members, several local dentists volunteer their time to serve the community at this event. Schools are invited to send their athletic trainers to receive instruction in the proper use of mouth guards. Proform Dental Supply donates a significant amount of materials to the program.

The University of Michigan School of Dentistry is one of the nation's leading dental schools engaged in oral health care education, research, patient care, and community service. General dental care clinics and specialty clinics providing advanced treatment enable the School to offer dental services and programs to patients throughout Michigan. Classroom and clinic instruction prepare future dentists, dental specialists, and dental hygienists for practice in private offices, hospitals, academia, and public agencies. Research seeks to discover and apply new knowledge that can help patients worldwide. For more information about the School of Dentistry, visit the Web at: www.dent.umich.edu.

SOURCE: University of Michigan School of Dentistry

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