Sports Dentistry Club makes free mouthguards for local students

Sports Dentistry Club makes free mouthguards for local students

West High School football players receive custom devices

As team dentist at The Ohio State University, Deborah Mendel is familiar with the toll sports take on players' mouths. Teeth can be mis-positioned or pushed into lips or, worst of all, knocked out entirely. Mouthguards, Mendel said, are crucial to keeping student-athletes safe.

"Any mouthguard helps prevent injuries," she said. "But no mouthguard can prevent injuries if it isn't worn."

Earlier this month, students at West High School benefitted from Mendel's expertise, as well as that of her colleagues and students in the Sports Dentistry Club. 25 high school football players saw dental students who made molds of their mouths that will be turned into free, custom mouthguards.

Players are more likely to wear mouthguards that fit well, Mendel said, and a custom mouthguard will have a more comfortable fit. In addition to being more comfortable, the mouthguards have one more alluring feature.

"The dentistry students can put logos on them, names," she said. "You can personalize it, which makes the mouthguard a little bit cooler. Hopefully they'll want to wear them."

Founded last year by third-year dentistry student Ethan Leonard and his classmate Logan Shope, the Sports Dentistry Club has only hosted one mouthguard event but plans to do more based on this year's success. Community engagement is a pillar of the club's mission.

"We wanted it to be educational and service-led," he said. "We want to give back because dental school is such a privilege."

West High School, part of the Columbus City Schools, has long needed upgrades for its sports teams. Resurrected in 2023, the school's booster program has pitched in to raise money for athletic uniforms and facilities. In its first year, Sports Dentistry Club donated toothbrushes and so-called "bite and boil" mouthguards that West High players could mold at home.

Wanting to do more this year, Leonard organized the mouthguard event, which was held at Postle Hall. Cardinal Transportation, a local charter service, volunteered to drive the students to Ohio State's campus.

Each West High student was assigned three dental students: one who made the mold, one who assisted and one who shepherded the high schooler from the lobby to the procedure room and back again. Mendel and four other faculty members oversaw the work.

"I was blown away by the camaraderie of the College of Dentistry," Mendel said. "Faculty volunteered; students volunteered. We had staff that helped, too. It made me feel so good that everyone pitched in - that brought the school together."

The West High students enjoyed the event just as much, Leonard said.

"I didn't expect that," he said. "But they seemed to really enjoy it. We got a lot of 'thank yous.' It was neat to see that as a provider after playing high school sports myself."

Commenting on the event's success, Carroll Ann Trotman, the college's dean, said, "I'm proud that our staff, faculty and students are pitching in to provide care for student-athletes at Columbus area schools. These are great opportunities for our students to help meet an important need and to have a positive impact on the lives of others."

Trotman added, "This is just one example of what can be accomplished when the college community works together. I'm grateful to the Sports Dentistry Club members, to Dr. Mendel, and everyone who helped with this worthwhile effort."

Leonard and Mendel agree that the club will host more mouthguard events in the future, focusing on area schools that may not have easy access to dentists.

This type of community work is important, Mendel said. Dentistry students get to hone a skill they'll be using in their careers while they help student athletes stay healthy.

"You do hope that if they do it as a College of Dentistry student, it will carry over into their practices as well," she said. "You want students to learn that skill but also to learn the philosophy."