Ann Arbor, MI — June 13, 2007 — Amateur athletes ages 5 and older can be fitted for a free, customized mouth guard at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry on Saturday, July 14.

From 9:00 a.m. until noon, dental and dental hygiene students, who will be supervised by faculty members, will make the 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, since supplies are limited, only 120 mouth guards will be made on a first-come, first-served basis.

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 plan to participate in fall or winter sports including football, soccer, basketball, ice hockey, or other contact sports. However, the mouth guard is also important for those who may participate in other activities including skateboarding, rollerblading, or downhill skiing.

Parents or guardians who have had their children fitted for braces are also invited. Student dentists and faculty will work with these an all children to ensure a comfortable, customized fit.

What Will Happen

Those who come to the clinic will be required to enter the dental school building from North University Avenue. 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. When the form is completed, the student athlete will be assigned a number and asked to wait. Because the program is so popular, there could be a wait of 30 minutes, depending on the size of the crowd.

When the number is called, he or she will be greeted by a student dentist and then have an opportunity to choose the color of their mouth guard. Each athlete will have the option of having a strap to be attached to the mouth guard.

The student athlete will spend about 15 or 20 minutes in a dental chair as student dentists take an impression. 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 returning home, athletes will be asked to try on the mouth guard in the presence of a student dentist 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 who’s considered by many to be the father of the customized mouth guard, said, "this is a very important piece of equipment which acts as a shock absorber, blunting the force of impact caused by falls or contact that occurs in athletic activities."

He added the protective gear "does more than save teeth. It also helps to minimize head and neck injuries, such as concussions and jaw fractures."

There's another benefit Godwin cited. "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."

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.

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