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Oct 29, 2009
Media contact: Patty Wellborn
Office: 604-795-2819
patty.wellborn@ufv.ca
UFV dental students team up with hockey’s Bruiser
to protect teeth
If mascots could talk, Bruiser—the chief cheerleader for the Chilliwack Bruins hockey squad—would fill your ears with stories about the importance of wearing a protective mouth guard while on the ice.
Bruiser visited the University of the Fraser Valley’s dental clinic last week and, along with a dental check up, was fitted for a custom-made sports mouth guard. He was a guest of the senior Dental Hygiene students, who are teaming up with the Bruins to discuss safety, protective mouth guards, and easy ways to promote healthy teeth and gums.
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| Bruiser as he arrives at UFV's dental clinic. He had lost a tooth after playing hockey without a correct mouth guard to protect his teeth. | The students are participating in a contest organized by the Canadian Dental Hygiene Association, where dental hygiene students can win prizes by promoting the dental hygiene profession and oral health in their community through creative initiatives.
They will be at the Bruins home game on Saturday, November 7, where they will promote good brushing and flossing skills, and reminding parents how important proper mouth guards are for any children (or adults) who play a contact sport.
“This goes well above and beyond their curriculum requirements,” says UFV’s Dental Hygiene program coordinator Shauna Warner. She notes the entire senior class is involved and they have done considerable background work to come up with a fun, interactive evening. “While we do have a community-based project in our program, it’s nothing as big as or as exciting as what these students have come up with. “
“The biggest thing people spend their money on when they sign their kids up for hockey is the protective gear, but the last thing they think about is a protective mouth guard,” says student Laura Alberts. “The cost of a custom-made mouth guard is relatively small compared to the cost of all the hockey equipment, but for some parents it’s not a natural extension of gearing up their kids.”
While Bruiser was at UFV, the students had a bit of fun with him and put some black tape over his big grin to make it look like he had lost a tooth. They also took him through the steps of getting properly fitted for a custom mouth guard to demonstrate that it really is just a quick visit to your dentist.
“A custom-made mouth guard from a dental office will offer the best protection,” says student Stephanie Wierda. “And we’re suggesting these for any contact sport, not just hockey.
Studies even suggest that weight lifters should wear them because they clamp their jaws while lifting heavy weights and that can also eventually damage your teeth.”
At Saturday’s game, the UFV students will have information about protecting your mouth while playing sports. And for a small donation, or a non-perishable food item for the foodbank, the students will hand out toothbrushes while supplies last. They will also have a few raffle draws and some informational brochures to share.
“The biggest thing we are trying to promote is prevention of trauma to the teeth and mouth,” says student Michelle Beattie. “There have even been studies done that show because a mouth guard softens the blow, they might actually help prevent concussions or lessen the effect of one.”
Because they are all about good oral health, the students will also have some tips on healthy snacks and other ideas to help keep those pearly whites clean.
“It’s going to be a kid-friendly, interactive booth,” says Beattie. “We want the kids to stop by and say hello and learn about protecting their teeth and keeping them for life.”
And as for Bruiser, once he was out of the dentist chair, he gave the students and their initiative to help protect teeth two big thumbs up.
Look for the UFV Dental Hygiene students at the Chilliwack Bruins hockey game against Edmonton on Saturday, November 7 at 7 p.m.
UFV has a two-year diploma program in Dental Hygiene. To find out more about UFV and its many health care programs, please visit www.ufv.ca/health.htm .
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| After being fitted for a mouth guard, Bruiser gets a big thumbs up from the entire senior class of Dental Hygiene students at UFV. |
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