Dental screening programs are part of the Ontario Public Health Standards and the Health Promotion and Protection Act. They are visual assessments only and do not replace your child's regular visit with a dentist. Students are screened at school by a public health registered dental hygienist who uses sterilized instruments and new gloves for each student.
Grades included are selected according to Ministry guideline and you will receive a letter through your child's school notifying you of our upcoming visits as well as what grades will be screened. If your child is not in a grade set to be screened and you would like them included, you may connect with us to request we see them.
A report card will be sent home with your child informing you of any urgent dental conditions as well as any preventive services your child may benefit from.
School screenings help:
- Identify children with urgent oral health needs or other oral health issues
- Link eligible students to the Healthy Smiles Ontario program for free dental care
- Monitor the oral health needs in our communities
For educational resources please visit our Oral Health in Schools for Educators
If you have received our school visit notice and would like your child excluded from the dental screenings, please contact us at 705-474-1400 ext. 5227 or toll-free 1-800-563-2808. You can also email us at teeth@healthunit.ca