Ann Arbor, MI — June 28, 2011 — They came from Ann Arbor, Detroit, Dearborn, Novi, Milan, and other southeast Michigan communities last Saturday to receive free customized mouth guards made by dental students at the U-M School of Dentistry. 

The 80 amateur athletes who were fitted ranged in age from a 6-year-old participating in taekwondo to a 45-year-old who enjoys downhill skiing.  Joining the 35 dental students who made the mouth guards were 10 faculty members and graduate student residents.

“Giving Back”

Third-year dental student Barbara Zickgraff summed up the feelings of many of her dental colleagues who participated.  “This is about giving back to the community, and it’s something you can do while you’re a dental student,” she said.  Zickgraff said her experiences at last summer’s clinic “were so enjoyable that I wanted to participate again.”

For second-year dental students, Daniel Shoop and Jessica Harris, this was their first time working with student athletes.  “It was a great experience,” she said, a sentiment that was shared by Shoop and another first-time participant, Bryan Greenwood, D3.  “I participated because it’s a terrific learning experience and a service I can offer my patients after I graduate,” he said.

Dental student Aaron Park, D3, was himself fitted for a customized mouth guard as a second-year dental student.  “I thought it was important to have that experience so I could better understand what the amateur athletes would be going through,” he said.  “I’m glad I did because I understand the importance of wearing a customized mouth guard in contact sports.”  Park said he’s using his mouth guard playing intramural soccer.

Two first-year students, Steve Feddick and Brandon Shoukri, participated in the program just two days before they began their predoctoral education at U-M.

Feddick, who worked for four summers during his undergraduate education at Davis Dental Labs in the Grand Rapids area, poured impressions, vacuumed mouth guards, and trimmed them before they were given to the athletes.  “It put me in such a good mood to be working during the clinic and giving back to the community,” he said.

Shoukri, who was at the registration desk, said, “I’m excited to be here.  It’s a great way for the dental school to show how it’s involved in the community.”  Joining Shoukri at the front desk was Anson Duran, a participant in the School’s Profile for Success program.  Duran said he will apply for admission to the U-M School of Dentistry in the fall.

Amateur Athletes Express Appreciation

The athletes who were fitted were enthused and grateful to the dental students.

“I’m very pleased.  It fits very well,” said John Nanos of Pinckney after Greenwood made some final adjustments to his mouth guard.  Nanos, a sophomore at Pinckney High School, said he will use his mouth guard when he plays ice hockey.

Six-year-old Marissa Barley, who participates in taekwondo, was fitted for her first customized mouth guard.  Her mother, Jeanine, said her daughter “broke her first set of boards last night and is on cloud nine.  She’ll be using her new mouth guard quite a bit.”

Ian Spain, a U-M Law School graduate, said he needed a mouth guard for playing pick-up basketball three days a week at the Central Campus Recreational Building.  “I tried products you buy off a store shelf in the past, but they didn’t fit very well, so I came here,” he said.

For 45-year-old Tom Peretti of Ann Arbor, this was the first time he received a mouth guard.  “I’ve been a downhill skier since I was 11 years old and thought it was time to get one,” he said with a smile.  “I’m pleased with the way it fits,” he said.

Faculty members said they enjoyed working with the students and talking to the athletes.

Faculty Participate

Dr. Samuel Zwetchkenbaum, a clinical associate professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Hospital Dentistry, said, “being involved in activities like this and working closely with the students sends a message about the importance of being involved in the community and also helps break down some of the barriers that are often present in a classroom or a clinic.”

Zwetchkenbaum added that by helping to manufacture the mouth guards his general practice residents “will be less likely to be called to the emergency room to manage traumatic injuries late at night.”

Anna Pogoncheff, D3, who coordinated the mouth guard clinic, said the event “is becoming more and more special to me the more I’m involved.”  She said during her first two years, she marveled at the injury prevention aspect of the clinic since mouth guards help prevent concussions and damage to the dentition. 

“I was fascinated with the stories each patient told.  It’s clear to me this event touches the lives of many athletes.”  Pogoncheff thanked the Michigan Dental Association for its support that helped to make the event a success.

View more photos from the Mouthguard Clinic.