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Preventive dental evaluations are not a standard part of preseason physicals for athletic teams, but UT Dentistry, the clinical practice of UT San Antonio School of Dentistry, has made them part of the annual preseason preparations for the and the San Antonio Spurs through partnerships with each. These oral health evaluations, paired with custom mouthguard fittings, often uncover important oral health concerns such as infections or wisdom teeth that must be removed before they interfere with an athlete’s season.
 

Early screenings and custom fittings

In mid-August, , associate dean of patient care at the School of Dentistry, and his team, comprised of dental faculty and third-year dental students, began conducting evaluations of UTSA football players. Using a TRIOS 5 scanner, the group took digital impressions for custom mouthguards, which were later printed with a Formlabs 3D printer. Along the way, several players were also identified as needing additional dental care.

“It was great to see our dental students work with their students, and the student athletes were very appreciative of the care our students provided. The experience gave our dental students a firsthand look at how efficient these digital instruments are, allowing them to scan quite a few players in just a few hours, all while supporting each other to keep the workflow fast and efficient,” shared Stafford.
 

Care beyond the preseason

Because the screenings occur more than a month before kickoff, players who require treatment have time to fully recover and return to play. Some are even able to visit their hometown dentists before the season begins. For those who stay local, clinics can provide comprehensive care from fillings and chipped teeth to wisdom tooth extractions. Once the season is underway, UT Dentistry continues its support as the teams’ on-call provider for emergency or trauma cases.

Natalie Scheifele, a third-year dental student, reflected on her experience, “I was honored to contribute to the oral health and safety of the UTSA football team through digital custom mouthguard fittings. As a former student-athlete, I hold this experience as especially meaningful, as it allowed me to give back to both the athletic community and the city of San Antonio, which I have called home for many years.” 
 

Hands-on training for future dentists

The screenings are also an important training opportunity for future dental professionals. By working directly with athletes, dental students sharpen their skills in digital scanning, patient communication and collaborative care.

“Helping out with the UTSA football team’s mouthguard fittings was a really cool experience. I learned a lot about using 3D scanners, and it was awesome to see how technology makes the process so much easier for both us and the athletes,” remarked Raymond Nwobodo, a third-year dental student.
 

Seeing the impact of oral health

Students said the work not only highlighted the impact of technology but also the role oral health plays in athlete safety.

“It was great to see the young players caring for their teeth and having healthy mouths. I watched their first game against [Texas] A&M and pointed out every time I saw a mouthguard on one of the players,” said Samuel Martin, a third-year dental student.

“I enjoyed how this experience emphasized the important role dentistry plays in athlete safety and performance. It also gave us the opportunity to apply the skills we are learning in the dental clinic to make a real impact in unique settings like athletics,” shared third-year dental student Arabellah Lozano.

Kristopher Wieland, also in his third year of dental school, added, “I have enjoyed seeing the between our schools firsthand. There was a positive team spirit among the UTSA football players that I hope to emulate in my future dental practice. I wish the best for their season!”
 

Dentistry for the community

“We really try to educate the athletes to wear the proper mouthguards, how to better protect their teeth, how to take care of their mouths,” Stafford said. “In the event there are injuries, we treat those. But we try to stay on the preventive side.”

With the new school year underway, Stafford emphasized the importance of routine dental checkups for all ages, as well as preseason screenings and protective wear for athletes. These services and more are available to for the San Antonio community at UT Dentistry. Learn more at .