From Cheryl McLeland-Lewis, School Nurse:

As parents and educators, we know oral health is important to overall health and learning. Cavities (tooth decay) are the most common disease experienced by children. Tooth decay causes pain and can lead to malnutrition, poor performance in school, childhood speech problems, and serious infections.

San José Unified School District is partnering with Healthier Kids Foundation (HKF) to provide free, on-site dental screenings at your child's school for grades TK-5. Licensed dentists will conduct a simple visual screening of your child's teeth and mouth. Results will be sent home with your child in approximately one week. If follow-up is recommended, HKF will contact you to discuss the results and next steps. This is not a full dental exam and does not replace regular dental checkups.

This screening satisfies the oral health mandate for all kindergarten students but is important for students in every grade (California Education Code 49452.8). Even if your child has had a recent dental exam, we encourage their participation in this free screening.

Dental screenings are scheduled at HACIENDA SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENTAL MAGNET on Dec 5, 6, & 9.

• If you do not want your child to participate in the screening, click here to complete an opt-out form or call your child's school.
• If you want your child to participate in the free dental screening at school, no further action is required.