AUT mouthguards bring home the win
When Kelston Boys’ High School 1st XV team claimed a world title for Aotearoa in December a little bit of AUT was represented on the turf in Abu Dhabi.
Prior to heading to compete in the World Schools Rugby Festival, AUT’s Oral Health department provided custom-fitted mouthguards for the squad of 26 players.
With the help of Colgate-Palmolive sponsorship, Oral Health students used advanced digital scanning technology to precisely capture each player's dental structure, ensuring a snug, personalised fit that significantly reduces the risk of dental injuries on the field.
“In a sport like rugby, where impacts are intense and unpredictable, custom mouthguards are essential in preventing damage to the mouth and teeth,” says Karen Lansdown, Head of the Department of Oral Health.
“By combining AUT's oral health students' clinical skills with design input from Kelston Boys, we created a custom-fitted mouthguard that enhanced the team's safety as they upheld their incredible legacy of producing All Blacks and winning world titles.”
Lansdown says this partnership showcases AUT's values and commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, highlighting the importance of community support to foster meaningful, impactful, changes for collective wellbeing.
"Every year, thousands of individuals suffer dental injuries that could have been prevented with custom-fitted mouthguards, which effectively absorb and disperse impact to the face, reducing the risk of injuries to the mouth, teeth, and jaw. However, not everyone has equal access to these essential protective devices, as the cost can be a significant barrier.
“To promote equity in sports, we must advocate for programs that provide affordable custom mouthguards for all players, regardless of their circumstances,” Lansdown continues.
“Ensuring every young athlete has access to proper protection enhances their safety and supports the well-being of our entire community."
The offer of a free custom-fitted mouthguard was praised by Danny Bernard, parent of one of the victorious Kelston team.
He says his son was “truly grateful for the support and guidance he received from AUT throughout the process”.
“He mentioned that it made him feel like a professional athlete, and that confidence is invaluable to him.
“As a parent of a rugby player, I am keenly aware of the physical demands of the sport and the risks it entails, particularly concerning mouth and head injuries. Mouth guards are essential for my son to safely enjoy rugby and knowing that AUT provides professionally crafted mouth guards gives us, as parents, greater peace of mind.
“In addition to the mouth guards themselves, I deeply appreciate the education AUT provided to raise my son's awareness about the importance of wearing them during his games,” Bernard continues.
“This knowledge not only benefits him now but also instils a lifelong habit of prioritising safety in sports.”
As well as the mouthguards there was another link to AUT on the pitch that day – Oral Health Senior Lecturer/Kaiwhakaako Chanae Ihimaera’s son Koupa was part of the team that lifted the championship.
"As a proud parent of one of the Kelston Boys' 1st XV, and as a staff member within the AUT Oral Health department, I am filled with immense pride.
“To see whānau excel on the world stage while knowing that our department played a small but significant role in ensuring their safety is incredibly rewarding.
And it wasn't just about the physical protection. Our focus on oral health extended beyond the mouthguards. Our oral health students carried out comprehensive dental examinations, including panoramic x-rays, and provided any necessary treatment, ensuring their award-winning grins stay gleaming alongside the protection.”
Ihimaera says the initiative is incredibly important and that access to oral health should not be a privilege.
‘“I applaud AUT for demonstrating a commitment to the well-being of our young people. Seeing my son, and indeed all the players, confidently take the field with the knowledge that their oral health was well-cared for was immensely gratifying,” she says.
“This initiative goes beyond simply providing a service; it demonstrates our commitment to the well-being of our communities and the importance of fostering a culture of health and safety. Ngā mihi nui to the entire Kelston Boys' 1st XV team, staff, whānau and community. You have made Aotearoa very proud!
The expense of oral health care is well known. AUT's Oral Health Community Clinic Niho Ora ki Manukau, located on the South Campus, provides free or subsidised oral health care that supports student learning, as well as referrals to other appropriate services.