Dr. William Godwin pioneered the development and promotion of custom-fit mouthguards at the University of Michigan starting in the 1950s, transforming them from a rare protective device into a widely used standard in sports. U-M dental faculty continue his legacy through annual “Mouthguard Day,” fitting athletes from football, hockey, and other sports. Godwin’s innovations and advocacy helped make athletic mouthguards safer, more affordable, and globally accessible.
