Section 216-RICR-20-10-4.17 - Dental Health Screening4.17.1General Dental Health Screening RequirementsA. Every student who has not been previously enrolled in a public or non-public school in this State must be given a dental screening by a licensed dentist, licensed dental hygienist, or a licensed public health dental hygienist with at least three (3) years of clinical experience.1. Thereafter, every student must be given an annual dental screening by a licensed dentist, dental hygienist, or a licensed public health dental hygienist through the fifth (5th) grade and must be screened at least once between the sixth (6th) and tenth (10th) grades.a. Provided, however, that dental screenings for students in kindergarten, third (3rd) and ninth (9th) grades must be performed by a licensed dentist or licensed public health dental hygienist.b. Dental hygienists performing the dental screenings pursuant to the provisions of this section must do so under the general supervision of the dentist liable and responsible under the contract with the community as required under R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-9(b).c. Public health dental hygienists performing the dental screenings pursuant to the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-9 must do so in accordance within the collaborative agreement guidelines between the public health dental hygienist and a licensed dentist, or an authorized facility. (For a definition of "general" supervision or "collaborative agreement", see Part 40-05-2 of this Title, Dentists, Dental Hygienists and Dental Assistants.2. Schools are required to report to RIDOH annually, aggregate screening results on grades K, three (3), and six (6) (if 6th grade is screened).B. Students who are screened by private dentists/dental hygienists and who provide written documentation containing information outlined by RIDOH of the screening being performed at the intervals prescribed by § 4.17.1(A)(1) of this Part are exempt from the requirements of this section and may elect not to be screened.C. To screen for hard tissue disease (tooth decay), soft tissue disease (gum disease) and urgent treatment need, the school dental screening must consist of a non-invasive inspection of the student's mouth using the RIDOH standardized screening form.D. Equipment to perform the screening requirements must include: a mirror, tongue depressor, a light source, and non-latex disposable gloves.E. The initial dental screening preferably should be conducted by the student's family dentist/dental hygienist within the six (6) months preceding the date of school entry, and the succeeding screenings should be conducted by him/her at any time during the school year (including vacations) for which the screening is required. 1. Screening results must be documented in writing using the RIDOH standardized form and submitted to the school for all grades and to the RIDOH Oral Health Program upon screening completion for grades K and three (3), or as indicated by the RIDOH.2. The RIDOH standardized form is available to all schools via the RIDOH website.4.17.2Follow-up and Documentation RequirementsA. When a school dental screening has revealed that a dental problem may exist, the parent must be notified in writing, using the RIDOH standardized form, so that a dental visit may be arranged.B. A student's dental screening results must be documented on the school health record.C. Each community must provide to parents or custodians of students who require professional or skilled treatment, a current list of both dental practices in the community which accept patients insured by Medical Assistance and/or RIte Care and dental practices which provide services on a sliding scale basis to uninsured individuals.216 R.I. Code R. 216-RICR-20-10-4.17
Amended effective 4/11/2022