LA (Lee & Antoniazzi) Orthodontics,Stouffville, Ontario, Canada, is offering all area student-athletescustom sports mouthguards free of charge in an effort to reduce the rateof sports-related head and mouth injuries.

“Recently, I heard about a local youth hockey player getting aconcussion, when something clicked and I realized, ‘Hey, we can dosomething about this.’ And so the concept was born,” said AnthonyAntoniazzi, DDS (pictured), from LA Orthodontics. “If one injury is preventedthrough this program, then it’s all worth it.” Students interested in amouthguards simply schedule an appointment to be fitted.

Krista Lee, DDS, also from LA Orthodontics, added, “If we remove thefinancial burden away from the parents and every student-athlete beginswearing mouthguards, not just for hockey or football, but for softball,baseball, volleyball, etc, then we have done something reallyworthwhile for the kids and parents in our community.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, sports-related injuriesare the leading cause of emergency-department visits in 12- to 17-year olds.