Dental Health in Schools

HKPR District Health Unit Dental Hygienists and Dental Assistants visit elementary schools every year to provide free oral health screenings to students in kindergarten and grade two. At some schools, we may also screen students in other grades.   

School Screenings Help to:

• Identify children with urgent oral health needs or other oral health issues.
• Provide essential preventive oral health services. 
• Link eligible students with free oral health programs for Children and Youth 0-17 .
• Monitor the oral health needs in our communities. 

What Happens at a School Screening? 

The Dental Hygienist provides basic education about keeping the mouth clean and healthy.

We also:

• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment. 
• Practice hand hygiene, washing hands and/or alcohol-based hand rub.  
• Take a quick look in the mouth (usually under a minute) with a sterilized mouth mirror.
• Provide a dental "report card" to each student.
• Follow-up on children who need urgent dental care.

It is best if all eligible children are screened.  However, parents/guardians can decline their child’s participation by contacting the Oral Health Team at 1-866-888-4577 ext. 1247 at least 2 business days before the date of the dental check, and leave a message with your child’s name, date of birth, school and grade. Please do not send a note to the school.