Delta Dental of Oklahoma is distributing free mouthguards to youth athletes statewide throughout April 2026. Sports-related dental injuries drive more than 600,000 emergency room visits annually in the United States, and leagues, clubs, and coaches can now request protective gear at no cost before summer and fall seasons begin.
Key Takeaways
- Delta Dental of Oklahoma distributes free Game On Mouthguards to youth athletes statewide through April 30, 2026
- Sports-related dental injuries drive more than 600,000 emergency room visits annually in the U.S.
- Athletes without mouthguards are 60 times more likely to suffer a dental injury
- Orders deliver in June 2026, timed ahead of summer and fall sports seasons
- Parents, coaches, and league commissioners can request mouthguards at DDOKFoundation.org/mouthguards
Free Mouthguards Address a 600,000-Visit-Per-Year Problem
The numbers behind youth dental injuries are striking. Sports-related incidents account for more than 600,000 emergency room visits per year across the United States. Athletes who don’t wear mouthguards face a risk of dental injury that is 60 times higher than those who do.
“Competitive sports are a great way for kids to remain active and healthy, but they also highly increase the risk of dental injuries,” said John Gladden, Chairman, President and CEO of Delta Dental of Oklahoma. “We hope our mouthguard program encourages young Oklahomans to protect their smiles during practices and games.”
The program is tied to National Youth Sports Safety Month, observed each April.
How the Program Works for Leagues and Coaches
The branded Game On Mouthguards are microwavable, moldable, braces-friendly, and accepted by the American Dental Association. Requests can be submitted by parents, coaches, or league commissioners through DDOKFoundation.org/mouthguards before April 30, 2026, or while supplies last. Orders ship in June 2026, positioning them to arrive ahead of summer camps, preseason training, and fall league play.
Experts recommend mouthguard use beyond traditional contact sports. Football and basketball are obvious candidates, but the guidance extends to gymnastics, volleyball, and other activities where collisions or falls can damage teeth.
Delta Dental of Oklahoma for Youth Sports Operators
For youth sports operators, the immediate value is straightforward: free protective equipment that reduces liability exposure and adds a concrete safety benefit for families. Insurance and dental brands are using youth sports safety programs as customer acquisition and goodwill channels. Programs like this represent potential co-branding touchpoints between health organizations and the leagues that serve young athletes. Oklahoma-based club directors, facility operators, and league commissioners should submit requests at DDOKFoundation.org/mouthguards before the April 30, 2026 deadline, with delivery expected in June.
Delta Dental of Oklahoma offers free mouthguards to youth athletes statewide through April 2026, with delivery in June ahead of summer and fall seasons. directly.
Source: Journalrecord
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