Do your schools demand, now, that your kindergartener have a dentist checkup?

They now have added, before they start kindergarten, they have to visit the dentist.  I'm not sure what to think about that. I mean, yes, good idea, but, to demand it before they go to school?

 

They have to have the hepatitis C vaccine, now too. Maybe they have for awhile, though.

Yes, for the health of the children.  In our school in Calif.  I have seen many, many "Silver Teeth" on the little ones that would probably be just eaten away because of no dental insurance.  Sad but true.  I am glad they are inforcing it. 

I know they have a vaccine for hepatitis A and B but not aware of a C vaccine. As for Dental qualification for school whether it is a good thing or not don't feel this should be dictated by the school district. I do remember when I was in the first few grades of Elem. School there was a Dental Clinic in the school manned by two regular Dentists that would see students on the basis of need 2 days a week. That was part and parcel of a Roosevelt plan from the depression that held over for a while. Also had a School Dr. that would do physical exams and minor procedures right there like stitching up playground wounds or minor injuries.

 I may be unpopular with this reply, but I think it is a great idea. I have a nephew whose parents allowed his teeth to virtually rot away. Most people see to it that their children get good medical and dental care, but hopefully this would help children that do not have parents who look out for their best interests. I will go one step further and I personally think that to allow a childs teeth to become as bad as my nephews, that I think the dentist or the school should be able to report it as child abuse.

Oh, and yes our schools require this. 

I have been teaching third grade for many years.  I can't tell you how many of my eight and nine year old students have never been to see a dentist. 

 

I would like to keep track of how much instructional time is wasted when children with toothaches must go to the office, spend time talking to the secretary or school nurse, (on her one day that she is at our school) wait while their parents are called, and then are sent back to the classroom because nothing is going to be done.  I have seen children with so much tooth pain that they are in tears, unable to pay attention or accomplish work.  I've had children miss days of school because of toothaches from rotten teeth ,

 

Does it seem harsh and controlling of the government to require visits to the dentist?  Maybe. 

I'm sure the biggest part of the problem is that families do not have dental insurance or the financial ability to pay for dental bills.  Maybe we need to address that?

Decaying teeth can lead to serious illness and even death.  I think it's a good idea to have their teeth checked.  I work in a 1st thru 5th grade school and have seen some terrible teeth in children that should have been tended to a long time before they entered the school system.  But the cost is another matter for those that can't afford to bring their childrent o the dentist.

 

My dd's 28 and I'm sure a dental check up was required before she enrolled in kindergarten.  No problem, since I had taken her to the dentist since she'd first had teeth.

 

It's a terrible shame that something like this has to be legislated--but for the sake of those children whose parents wouldn't bother, unless required, it's good that the school makes this a requirement.  It doesn't hurt those families who are already seeing to their children's dental health--they just need to ask their dentist to write the appropriate letter, and it may help some child who is having an undiagnosed problem.  Good all the way around, IMO

 It is baffling to me that our healthcare industry gets away with pretending that teeth and brains are not part of our bodies.  Perhaps madating dental care for kids will be a step toward mandating that dental care be part of health care. That, I believe, would be a good thing.

Callie123:

It's a terrible shame that something like this has to be legislated--but for the sake of those children whose parents wouldn't bother, unless required

 

 

Its a terrible shame that so many parents in the U.S. can't afford to take their children to the dentist. A simple check up and cleaning is over $200 without insurance and you can believe that the dentist wants that money paid in full up front if you don't have the insurance so what is a parent suppose to do if they don't have the extra money? 

Lady Fingers:

Perhaps madating dental care for kids will be a step toward mandating that dental care be part of health care. That, I believe, would be a good thing.

 

 

I agree, that would be a good thing.

There are a lot of people here, probably, without insurance.  I do believe we still have a health clinic, for people that are financially stricken.   My late SIL took her children and herself to it when they were young.  I'm not sure how they operated, but, it must have helped her out.

PG, I thought she said hepatitis C. I'll have to ask her about that again. I thought they already had gotten the other hepatitis shots.

$200 for a cleaning?  I don't know where you live, but I live in one of the highest cost of living areas in the country and a cleaning DOES NOT cost that much--yet.  I'm certain that there are dentists in your area who are not that expensive.  You can get a cleaning done for free, in fact, at the community college here--by the techs in training.  Which might not fill the bill as a before-kindergarten check up, but it's at least one way to keep the cost down.

 

Also, dental visits--even braces--are covered by the health insurance states offer to cover the children of no and low-income families who otherwise don't have/can't afford insurance.  If there is a child today, in America, without health or dental insurance it truly is the fault of the parent.  You do have to go to the trouble to sign up, and you have to go to the drs who participate in the plans.  But the programs are there, and we--the people of America--are paying for them.  So if you know someone who isn't getting their child appropriate medical, dental care, please encourage them to find out what's out there for them.  And if it's a case of the family can afford coverage, but chose not to--because it's more important to have a big screen tv, a fridge stocked with beer, etc (I know families like that)--well, kudos to the schools for making it impossible for them to neglect their children's needs

my dd just graduated and my ds is a sophmore..i don't remember if it was required for them to see a dentist..i knew a gal who's child was in elementary and has never been to a dentist..she said she couldn't afford it..

I am school secretary at a State recognized Christian school in Illinois.  We follow all state regulations regarding immunizations and physical examinations.  About two years ago the State started requiring dental exams for students in kindergarten, 2nd and 6th grade.  Now this year they have added that kindergarteners must have a vision exam by an optometrist or a doctor who is qualified to give a complete vision screening.  The thing is that if students are not in compliance with physicals and immunizations they will be excluded from school after a set date, but regarding the dental and vision check ups we do not have to enforce it in any way.  They have waiver forms for parents who do not have insurance or the financial means to have the exams done. 

 

Sue