Clinton schools to provide free dental screenings
Clinton City Schools, in partnership with the Anderson County Dental Clinic, is providing free dental screenings for enrolled students in pre-K through sixth grade.
Screenings will take place at North Clinton Elementary on Nov. 30, South Clinton Elementary on Dec. 2, and Clinton Elementary on Dec. 3 and 4, a news release from Clinton City Schools stated.
amilies received a form to register at the beginning of the school year, but parents and guardians may request their students to participate at any time.
Dental professionals observe each participating student for discomfort, infection, early onset dental defects, early symptoms of oral disease and irregular tooth position. They will provide referrals as needed to the student’s primary dental care provider or, if the student does not have a dentist, reach out to the family to schedule an appointment at the health department’s dental office.
“School-based dental prevention programs are designed to assist the school nurses and educators with oral health education, healthy nutrition and the prevention of oral disease and injury,” the release stated. These programs provide oral health education, oral health screenings, silver diamine fluoride, dental sealants, fluoride, and oral health referrals. “These primary prevention services have been proven to be highly effective in improving oral health,” the release stated. “The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote, and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee, and the school-based prevention programs operate within this mission.”
For more information contact Clinton City Schools Coordinated School Health billingsa@clintonschools.org, 865-457-0616 or https://www.clintonschools.org/, or Anderson County Health Department 865-425-8803 or ejordan@andersoncountytn.gov.