§ 10-206d — Oral health assessments.

(a) Each local or regional board of education shall request that each child enrolled in the public schools submit to an oral health assessment pursuant to the provisions of this section. Such oral health assessment shall be conducted by (1) a dentist licensed pursuant to chapter 379, (2) a dental hygienist licensed pursuant to chapter 379a, (3) a legally qualified practitioner of medicine trained in conducting an oral health assessment as part of a training program approved by the Commissioner of Public Health, (4) a physician assistant licensed pursuant to chapter 370 and trained in conducting an oral health assessment as part of such a training program, or (5) an advanced practice registered nurse licensed pursuant to chapter 378 and trained in conducting an oral health assessment of such a training program. No oral health assessment shall be made of any child enrolled in the public schools unless the parent or guardian of such child consents to such assessment and such assessment is made in the presence of the child's parent or guardian or in the presence of another school employee, except that no parent or guardian shall be required to be present when such assessment is conducted by a licensed outpatient clinic operating on school grounds. The parent or guardian of such child shall receive prior written notice and shall have a reasonable opportunity to opt his or her child out of such assessment, be present at such assessment or provide for such assessment himself or herself. A local or regional board of education may not deny enrollment or continued attendance in public school to any child who does not submit to an oral health assessment pursuant to this section. (b) Each local or regional board of education shall request that each child submit to an oral health assessment pursuant to subsection (a) of this section prior to public school enrollment, in either grade six or grade seven, and in either grade nine or grade ten. The oral health assessment shall include a dental examination by a dentist or a visual screening and risk assessment for oral health conditions by a dental hygienist, legally qualified practitioner of medicine, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse. The assessment form shall include a check box for the provider conducting the assessment, as described in subsection (a) of this section, to indicate any low, moderate or high risk factors associated with any dental or orthodontic appliance, saliva, gingival condition, visible plaque, tooth demineralization, carious lesions, restorations, pain, swelling or trauma. (c) If a local or regional board of education hosts a free oral health assessment event at which a provider described in subsection (a) of this section performs an oral health assessment of children attending a public school, the local or regional board of education shall notify the parents and guardians of the children attending the school in advance of the event. Each parent and guardian shall have the opportunity to opt his or her child out of the oral health assessment event. Each child whose parent did not opt him or her out of the oral health assessment event shall receive an oral health assessment, as prescribed in subsection (b) of this section, free of charge. No child shall receive dental treatment of any kind as part of the oral health assessment event unless the child's parent or guardian provides informed consent for such treatment. (d) The results of an oral health assessment performed pursuant to this section shall be recorded on a form supplied by the State Board of Education. Such information shall be included in the cumulative health record of each pupil who submitted to an oral health assessment and kept on file in the school such pupil attends. Each dentist, dental hygienist, legally qualified practitioner of medicine, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse who performs an oral health assessment pursuant to this section shall completely fill out and sign the form and any recommendations of the dentist, dental hygienist, legally qualified practitioner of medicine, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse concerning the pupil shall be in writing. (e) Appropriate school health personnel shall review the results of each oral health assessment recorded pursuant to subsection (d) of this section. When, in the judgment of such school health personnel, a pupil is in need of further testing or treatment, the superintendent of schools shall give written notice to the parent or guardian of such pupil and shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that further testing or treatment is provided. Such reasonable efforts shall include a determination of whether or not the parent or guardian has obtained the necessary testing or treatment for the pupil and, if not, advising the parent or guardian as to how such testing or treatment may be obtained. The results of such further testing or treatment shall be recorded pursuant to subsection (d) of this section and shall be reviewed by school health personnel pursuant to this subsection.

Legislative History

(P.A. 18-168, S. 80; 18-169, S. 44.) History: P.A. 18-168 effective July 1, 2018; P.A. 18-169 amended Subsec. (a) by adding “of medicine” in Subdiv. (3) and adding provision re exception to presence of parent or guardian, effective July 1, 2018.