Kindergarten dental screenings support healthy smiles

Youngsters across Delaware are participating in the Kindergarten Oral Health Screening Program for the first time this school year,  provided by the Bureau of Oral Health and Dental Services within the Delaware Division of Public Health. This new annual program is intended to improve the oral health of Delaware children and prepare them for a lifetime of good oral health.

In partnership with the Delaware Department of Education and school nurses, the bureau facilitates all screenings. During each no-cost screening, dental hygienists or dentists inspect each child’s mouth using disposable mouth mirrors and flashlights. Screeners look for symptoms such as pain, swelling, infections, decay or dental sealants. Each screening takes two minutes or less. After completing an evaluation, each student receives a dental report card showing the screening results, along with a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss and dental resource guide to take home.

Oral health problems can prevent a child from eating and sleeping properly, thus impairing their ability to concentrate and learn. Academic learning time is lost every year due to unplanned and acute dental care. During the 2021-22 school year, 45% of Delaware’s kindergarteners had at least one tooth with decay experience and 22% had untreated tooth decay, according to a bureau report.  Despite being nearly 100% preventable with proper oral hygiene and access to dental care, tooth decay (cavities) remains the most common chronic disease in children.

The kindergarten program was created with the passage of House Bill 83. Under this bill, every public school and charter school must give a dental screening to students in kindergarten by the last day of the school year, starting during the current (2024-25) school year.

"The passing of HB83 is a momentous step toward improving children's oral health," said Dr. Nick Conte, state dental director. "We can prevent dental issues from developing by prioritizing early dental care, leading to long-term health benefits. In addition, the information collected at each school helps to target future public health efforts at schools where children need dental care the most."

Through the Delaware Smile Check Program, children and adults covered by Delaware Medicaid or the Delaware Healthy Children Program are eligible to receive free and optional dental screenings, fluoride treatments and toothbrushes when they are screened in person at participating locations in Delaware. Preventive treatment and case management are also included for qualifying students (those without dental insurance, Medicaid or CHIP) at priority schools. For more information about the Delaware Smile Check Program, go to dethrives.com/programs/healthy-smiles#services.

There is no diagnosis provided by these dental screenings. The Kindergarten Oral Health Screening Program and the Delaware Smile Check Program are not intended to replace a dentist's examination. Based on the visual signs of dental problems following a screening, additional dental examinations and x-rays may be necessary. Through the kindergarten program, parents and caregivers will be notified by the dentist report card and staff can help them find a provider.

As part of the Smile Check Program, a case manager shares dental screening results with participants, provides oral health education and schedules appointments with a dentist. Also offered are assistance with barriers related to insurance, providers, transportation, childcare and direction to additional social services.

For help in finding a dentist, insurance questions, and dental screening questions, adults can call the Dentist Helpline at 302-318-8850.