Don't Miss

The School of Dentistry's popular mouth guard program will return at 9 a.m.-noon July 15 at the school, 1011 N. University Ave. Dental students supervised by faculty members will make free customized mouth guards for amateur athletes ages 5 and older.

School of Dentistry student Gwen Buck tells a 13-year-old athlete how his mouth guard will be made after she takes a dental impression, during the school's annual free Mouth Guard Clinic, scheduled to return July 15. (Photo by Photo By Jerry Mastey)

No appointment is necessary but only 120 mouth guards will be fitted due to the time needed to make them and ensure a proper fit. Parents or guardians who have had their children fitted for braces also are invited.

Parking is available in the visitors' area of the Palmer Street parking garage. Take the north elevator to the plaza level, walk across the plaza then enter the School of Dentistry from North University for the event. Students at the first-floor information desk will direct patients to clinics on the second floor.

Because of the popularity of the program there could be a 30-minute wait for a chair. Once the impression is taken the athlete or parent/guardian will be able to pick up the finished product in about two hours.

"It's important for student athletes to be properly fitted with this vital piece of equipment," says Dr. William Godwin, professor emeritus of dentistry who is considered by many to be the father of the customized mouth guard. Fitted mouth guards are more comfortable than those found in stores, he says, and, therefore, are more likely to be worn.

For more information, visit the Web at: www.dent.umich.edu.

Lakeside summit to examine environmental integrity issues

What happens when politics and ideology drive policy decisions related to climate change, nuclear energy, endangered species and other scientific and environmental issues? How can scientists add their input?

Scientists, policy makers, students and concerned citizens will discuss these issues at the two-day Douglas Lake Summit on Scientific Integrity July 6-7 at the U-M Biological Station Pellston, Mich. campus. The event, co-sponsored by the Biological Station and the Union of Concerned Scientists, will feature a panel discussion, keynote speakers and breakout sessions. Panelists include Lana Pollack, a former Michigan state senator who is now president of the Michigan Environmental Council.

"Science must be independent of political interference if we are to develop effective policies for managing and solving environmental and public health problems," says Knute Nadelhoffer, Biological Station director. "As an active center of research and education, the Biological Station is an ideal location for environmental researchers, policy makers and concerned citizens to develop skills and strategies to ensure science remains at the core of policy debates."

The Biological Station on Douglas Lake is a 13,000-acre field station dedicated to education and research in field biology and environmental science. A conference schedule and registration information is at: www.lsa.umich.edu/umbs/events/summits/.