Category
Preventive Health Screenings in MS
Category
Preventive Health Screenings in MS
State law requires a health screening prior to entry (which may or may not specifically include vision, hearing, dental, or BMI exams).
Code of State Rules 126-51-5. Health Promotion through School Screenings/Examinations.
5.3. Oral Health: New enterers in West Virginia public school at first entry of either Pre-K or Kindergarten and all students progressing to grades 2, 7 and 12 should have on file within 45 days of enrollment/entry or prior to the first day of school attendance a record of an oral health examination. The following transition plan will request each new enterer in Pre-K and Kindergarten and all students entering grades 2, 7 and 12 to show proof of an oral health examination: beginning the school year (SY) 2015/16 all new enterers in Pre-K and Kindergarten; beginning SY 2016/17 all students entering grade 2; beginning SY 2017/18 all students entering grade 7; and beginning SY 2018/19 all students entering grade 12. All examination forms shall be signed and dated by the student's dentist and completed within the prior 12 calendar months. If the student does not have proof of an oral health examination during the grade of requirement, the student may be enrolled into the WVDHHR-Oral Health Program's (OHP) Oral Disease Prevention Project. The Oral Health Prevention Project will provide an oral health assessment from a dental provider regardless of the ability to pay if the parent/guardian provides approval/consent for the student to participate.
Code of State Rules 126-51-5. Health Promotion through School Screenings/Examinations.
5.2 HealthCheck: New enterers in West Virginia public school at first entry of either prekindergarten (Pre-K) or Kindergarten and all students progressing to grades 2, 7 and 12 should have on file within 45 days of enrollment/entry or prior to the first day of school attendance a record of a HealthCheck screening, or other comprehensive health screening comparable to the HealthCheck protocol. The following transition plan will require each new enterer in Pre-K and Kindergarten and all students entering grades 2, 7 and 12 to show proof of a HealthCheck screening: beginning the school year (SY) 2015/16 all new enterers in Pre-K and Kindergarten; beginning SY 2016/17 all students entering grade 2; beginning SY 2017/18 all students entering grade 7; and beginning SY 2018/19 all students entering grade 12. All screening forms shall be signed and dated by the child's licensed health care provider and completed within the prior 12 calendar months. If the student does not have proof of a HealthCheck the classroom teacher shall be informed to ensure any potential learning deficits (vision, hearing, speech and language, developmental, etc.) will be referred to the appropriate school personnel for screening as individually indicated. Counties can retain the right to conduct follow-up screening (W. Va. Code §18-5-17, W. Va. 126CSR28, WVBE Policy 2525, West Virginia's Universal Access to Early Education System, Governor's KidsFirst Initiative and Superintendent's Interpretation of June 29, 2007).
Recommendations for Vision Screening
This document from the West Virginia Council of School Nurses provides guidance and recommendations for vision screenings for school children.
School Dental Exam Requirement Tool Kit
This toolkit provides guidance and resources to health care providers and schools providing school dental exams in accordance with West Virginia Board of Education policy.
West Virginia Code 18-5-22. Medical and dental inspection; school nurses; specialized health procedures; establishment of council of school nurses.
(a) County boards shall provide proper medical and dental inspections for all pupils attending the schools of their county and have the authority to take any other action necessary to protect the pupils from infectious diseases, including the authority to require from all school personnel employed in their county, certificates of good health and of physical fitness.