Ann Arbor, MI — June 3, 2005 — Amateur athletes who are looking ahead and planning to participate in sports this fall and winter may want to circle Saturday, July 16, on their calendars.

That day the University of Michigan School of Dentistry will hold its annual mouth guard clinic. Under the supervision of faculty members, dental and dental hygiene students will volunteer their time to make the free, customized protective piece of equipment for amateur athletes in elementary, middle school, high school, and college. Non-student athletes are also invited.

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

The mouth guards will be made at the U-M School of Dentistry at 1011 N. University Avenue (directly across the street from the Michigan League) from 9:00 a.m. until noon.

Athletes ages 5 and older are invited. In addition, parents who have had their children fitted for braces are also invited to bring their sons or daughters. The student dentists and faculty carefully work with children with braces.

What to Expect
When they arrive, 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. After the form is completed, the student athlete will be assigned a number. When the number is called, he or she will choose the color of their mouth guard and will 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 they head home, athletes 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.

An Important Piece of Equipment
Dr. William Godwin, U-M professor emeritus of dentistry and sports dentistry specialist, said a proper fitting mouth guard is a very important piece of equipment. "The mouth guard acts as a shock absorber, blunting the force of impact caused by falls or contact that occurs in athletic activities," he said. "The customized mouth guards, such as those made by the U-M dental and dental hygiene students, do more than save teeth. They also help to minimize head and neck injuries, such as concussions and jaw fractures."

He also pointed out another advantage. "The customized mouth guards made by our dental students are considerably more comfortable than the off-the-shelf guard that are sold in stores," he said. "We also know that the more comfortable the mouth guards are, the more likely the kids will wear them."

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. He also said that adults who participate in whitewater kayaking, karate, tae kwon do, touch football, and soccer have also been fitted.

U-M School of Dentistry faculty and students, as well as 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 dedicates 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.