District's Elementary Students To Receive "Free" Dental Services

        
          SMILE!  Students in Ms. Colantropo's kindergarten class learned about dental hygiene from Christine Marsh.

"OCTOBER IS NATIONAL DENTAL HYGIENE MONTH"

(October 10, 2012 - Riverhead, NY) Children in the District's elementary schools have the opportunity to participate in an oral health program being offered by the Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine at RCSD elementary schools. The first part of the program includes "EDUCATIONAL/ INFORMATIONAL presentations", which are given prior to the free dental exam in November. During the month of October all students will participate in an Oral Health Educational Program presented by the Pediatric Residents and Hygienists from Stony Brook University. The first informational session was given at the Roanoke Avenue School on October 9th. The presentations will continue throughout October: 10/12 and 10/16 @ Phillips, 10/19 and 10/22 @ Riley, and 10/26 and 10/29 @ Aquebogue.

"Exams" will begin in November and the "Dental Van" services will be administered in December. The School of Dental Medicine will provide preventive services at the school on November 8th and 29th to all children that have parental permission. There are no out of pocket costs to parents for the preventive services that will be offered: dental exam, cleaning, fluoride treatment and placement of sealants on first year molars. The fluoride treatment and placing of sealants will depend on the condition of the teeth.

These services are provided by Stony Brook University pediatric dental residents, pediatric hygienists and supervised by a pediatric clinical faculty member. SBU will provide a portable dental chair and equipment for the exams, which will be setup in a designated room in the school. Parents must complete and sign a Health History Permission Form to have their child receive these services. This form must be returned to the teacher by Friday, November 2nd.

A Dental Summary report will be sent home with the child informing the parent of the services that were provided and what follow-up treatment is required. Attached to the Dental Summary will be some forms parents must complete to have their child receive dental services on the Dental Van from the School of Dental Medicine. This "state of the art" Dental Van will be scheduled to be at the school during school hours. This is an amazing service that will be offered to our students free of charge.

Also See: 2011-12 School Year: Stony Brook University Dental Services / HandsOn Dental Health Newsletter