ANN ARBOR—Amateur athletes ages 5 and older are invited to attend a free, custom-fitted mouth guard clinic at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry on July 15.

From 9 a.m.-noon, dental students, under the supervision of faculty, will make the customized mouth guards at the dental school, 1011 N. University Ave., directly across the street from the Michigan League.

No appointment is necessary. However, because of the time needed to make the mouth guards and ensure a proper fit on student athletes, only 120 mouth guards will be made that day.

Students who plan to participate in fall or winter sports including football, basketball, ice hockey or soccer should be fitted, especially if they have braces.

“It’s important for student athletes to be properly fitted with this vital piece of equipment,” said William Godwin, professor emeritus of dentistry. “The mouth guard helps to blunt the force of an impact caused by contact or falls. The mouth guard not only helps save teeth, it also helps minimize head and neck injuries, such as concussions and jaw fractures.”

Godwin, considered by many to be the father of custom-fitted mouth guards, said mouth guards made by dental students are “considerably more comfortable than those that are sold at stores. The more comfortable the mouth guards are, the more likely it is the kids will wear them.”

All 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. Students will choose the color of their mouth guard and spend about 15 or 20 minutes in a dental chair as a student dentist takes an impression. Because of the popularity of the program, there could be a wait of 30 minutes for a chair.

The athletes and their parent(s)/guardian(s) will be able to pick up the finished product about two hours later. The student athletes will try on the mouth guards, in the presence of student dentists who are supervised by a faculty member, to ensure proper fits. If necessary, final adjustments will be made at that time.

Visitors should park in the visitors area of the Palmer Street parking garage. They should walk to the north elevator, take it to the plaza level, and then walk across the plaza to the School of Dentistry.

Patients should enter the dental school building from North University Avenue and proceed to the information desk on the first floor. Students will direct patients to clinics on the second floor where the impressions will be taken.

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: School of Dentistry