Outline of the state of Connecticut
State
Connecticut
Addressed

Category
Preventive Health Screenings in MS—Dental

Category
Preventive Health Screenings in MS—Dental

State law addresses dental screening.

General Statutes of Connecticut Sec. 10-206. Health assessments

(c) Each local or regional board of education shall require each pupil enrolled in the public schools to have health assessments in either grade six or grade seven and in either grade nine or grade ten. The assessment shall include: (1) A physical examination which shall include hematocrit or hemoglobin tests, height, weight, blood pressure, and, beginning with the 2003-2004 school year, a chronic disease assessment which shall include, but not be limited to, asthma as defined by the Commissioner of Public Health pursuant to subsection (c) of section 19a-62a. The assessment form shall include (A) a check box for the provider conducting the assessment, as provided in subsection (a) of this section, to indicate an asthma diagnosis, (B) screening questions relating to appropriate public health concerns to be answered by the parent or guardian, and (C) screening questions to be answered by such provider; (2) an updating of immunizations as required under section 10-204a, provided a registered nurse may only update said immunizations pursuant to a written order of a physician or physician assistant, licensed pursuant to chapter 370, or an advanced practice registered nurse, licensed pursuant to chapter 378; (3) vision, hearing, postural and gross dental screenings; and (4) such other information including a health history as the physician feels is necessary and appropriate. The assessment shall also include tests for tuberculosis and sickle cell anemia or Cooley’s anemia where the local or regional board of education, in consultation with the school medical advisor and the local health department, or in the case of a regional board of education, each local health department, determines that said screening or test is necessary, provided a registered nurse may only perform said tests pursuant to the written order of a physician or physician assistant, licensed pursuant to chapter 370, or an advanced practice registered nurse, licensed pursuant to chapter 378.

Policy Type
Statute

General Statutes of Connecticut Sec. 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, 1 (2) a dental hygienist licensed pursuant to chapter 379a, 2 (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 3 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 4 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.

Policy Type
Statute