ANN ARBOR—Athletes of all ages will receive free, customized mouth guards at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry?s annual mouth guard clinic July 26.

From 9 a.m. until noon, dental and dental hygiene students will work with faculty to make the protective gear at the dental school, 1011 N. University Ave., across the street from the Michigan League.

An appointment is not necessary. The mouth guards will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. However, because of the time needed to make the protective equipment, only 120 mouth guards will be made.

Mouth guards are vital not only for athletes playing football and ice hockey, but also for those who play soccer, basketball, or who bicycle, skateboard, inline skate or ski downhill.

?A proper-fitting mouth guard, such as the ones that will be made that day, acts as a shock absorber,? said Dr. William Godwin, U-M professor emeritus of dentistry and sports dentistry specialist. ?The mouth guard blunts the force of impact caused by falls or contact that occurs. Not only does a properly fitting mouth guard save teeth, it also helps minimize head and neck injuries, such as concussions and jaw fractures.?

When they arrive, athletes or the parents of child athletes will fill out a medical history form and then will be assigned a number. When called, athletes will specify what color mouth guard they would like and if they want a strap attached to it.

Each athlete will spend about 15 or 20 minutes in a dental chair as student dentists take an impression. Because the program is popular, there could be a wait of 30 minutes for a chair.

The athlete or parent will be able to pick up the finished product about two hours after the impression is taken. The athlete will try on the mouth guard in the presence of a student dentist or dental hygienist supervised by a faculty member to ensure the fit is proper. Any final adjustments will be made, if necessary, at that time.

The mouth guard program is now in its 16th 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 U-M 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. More information is available on the Web at http://www.dent.umich.edu.

Related links:

Map to School of Dentistry

Prof. Emeritus William Godwin