The University of Iowa (UI) College of Dentistry is continuing its program to provide custom-fitted mouthguards for junior high and high school student athletes by partnering with the Iowa City Community School District.
Michael Kanellis, DDS, a professor of pediatric dentistry at UI, said custom-made mouthguards fit better and are more comfortable for athletes, according to a press-citizen.com story.
The program also provides valuable experience for UI dental students.
The mouthguards cost $15 for the tudent athletes; the money goes toward a patient care fund at the dental school. The fund is used to pay for dental surgeries and other procedures for patients who cannot afford such care.
Mouthguards are required for junior high and high school athletes who play football, as well as for wrestlers who have orthodontic braces.
Chipped teeth and teeth knocked out of alignment are some of the more common dental injuries that Dr. Kanellis sees. Broken jaws and concussions are some of the more severe dental trauma that might be prevented with mouthguards, he said.
