No appointment is necessary. However, the mouth guards will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

What to Expect

When they arrive, student athletes (or their parent/guardian) will be required to fill out a consent form. After the form is completed, the student athlete will be assigned a number. When the number is called, the athlete will be asked what color he would like for his or her mouth guard and then spend about 15 or 20 minutes in a dental chair as student dentists take an impression. Because the program is so popular, 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/guardian will be able to pick up the finished product about two hours later. However, before leaving, the athlete will be asked to try on the mouth guard in the presence of a student dentist or dental hygienist to ensure a proper fit. If any final adjustments are needed, those will be completed before the student athlete leaves the building.

Why Mouth Guards Matter

Dr. William Godwin, U-M professor emeritus of dentistry and sports dentistry specialist, said 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.” He said that customized mouth guards, such as those made by the U-M dental and dental hygiene students, “does more than save teeth. It also helps to minimize head and neck injuries, such as concussions and jaw fractures.

Considered by many to be the “father of the mouth guard,” Godwin advises athletes engaged in almost any sport – football, ice or roller hockey, soccer, basketball, skateboarding, or downhill skiing – to wear the protective piece of equipment.

The mouth guard program is now in its 17th year and is funded by a grant from the late 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. For more information about the School of Dentistry, visit the Web at http://www.dent.umich.edu.