VCU news

By Joy Turner
University News Services

Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Dentistry has teamed up with VCU’s varsity field hockey team in hopes of protecting teeth and preventing injuries to the mouth.

Eighteen dentistry students volunteered to make the team’s members new mouth guards after coach Shelly Behrens contacted Betsy Hagan, senior associate dean, School of Dentistry.

“We had used the basic mouth guard that you have to heat in water and try to mold,” said Behrens.  “The problem was it was a hard fit for the players -meaning it was so uncomfortable that the mouthguard would either spend more time in someone’s shinguard or (with) them chewing on it, thereby not really protecting their teeth.”

The field hockey team members came by the School of Dentistry to be fitted for the mouth guards.

“After the models are poured up we use a special suck-down machine to heat the mouth guard sheets individually and then vacuum around each model individually,” said School of Dentistry senior Abram Tanner. “These provide a much tighter fit and they can then be trimmed to fit the patient.”

“Many athletes don't realize the permanent damage that can occur in any arena of competition,” said Tanner.  “In any sport dental trauma can occur. Chipped teeth, bloodied gums, knocked out teeth or other trauma.
 
“The damage can result in teeth being permanently lost, disfigured or other problems,” he said. “Mouth guards won't protect against everything, but it they will provide an added buffer for any of those "unexpected" injuries.”

Field hockey team members were pleased to receive their black and gold mouth guards.

“It has just been so amazing that the dental school and Dr. Hagan have gone out of their way to help us with the mouth guards,” said Behrens. “I know the team and I are very, very grateful and appreciative of the School of Dentistry’s time and efforts on behalf of our program. I believe it just shows how teamwork really exists not just on both campuses here at VCU but between them.”

Hagan says any VCU student can come to the clinic to receive dental care at a reduced cost. For more information contact Cheryl Simms at 828-0697.