An appointment is not necessary. The program will be held on the third floor at the School of Dentistry on the Central Campus (1011 N. University), directly across the street from the Michigan League.

The mouth guards will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. However, because of time constraints, only 120 mouth guards will be made.

A mouth guard is one of the most important, yet probably most overlooked or neglected pieces of sports equipment. They’re vital for athletes who not only participate in football or ice hockey, but also for individuals playing soccer, basketball, gymnastics, skateboarding, rollerblading, and downhill skiing.

The Process

Athletes who arrive will sign in at a desk on the third floor of the School of Dentistry building and then assigned a number. At that time, they will be able to choose the color of their mouth guard as well as decide if they want a strap attached.

Because of the program’s popularity, there could be a wait of 30 to 45 minutes for a chair. Once the athlete is seated, he or she will spend about 20 minutes in a dental chair as student dentists and hygienists, supervised by dental faculty, take an impression.

After the impression has been taken, athletes can pickup their mouth guard about two or three hours later. Then they will be able to try it on in the presence of a student dentist or dental hygienist, who will be supervised by a faculty member, as last-minute adjustments are made.

Importance Stressed

“A proper fitting mouth guard acts as a shock absorber, blunting the force of impact caused by falls or contact that occurs in athletic activities,” said Dr. William Godwin, U-M professor emeritus of dentistry and sports dentistry specialist. “A customized mouth guard, such as the ones our students make, does more than save teeth. It also helps to minimize head and neck injuries, such as concussions and jaw fractures.”

Godwin, who has spoken to groups about the importance of mouth guards, said the customized piece of equipment fits more comfortably than those sold in stores. “That’s important, because the more comfortable the mouth guard is, the more likely the athlete is to wear it,” he said.

In addition to protecting athletes from possible injury while participating in school-sponsored sports, the American Dental Association suggests mouth guards also be worn for recreational activities, including in-line skating.

The mouth guard clinic, now in its 15th year, is funded by a grant from Dr. Samuel D. Harris, a 1924 graduate of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. U-M School of Dentistry faculty and students, as well as several local dentists, volunteer their time. Schools are invited to send their athletic trainers to receive instruction in the proper use of mouth guards.

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.

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