On A Shoestring: Free Dental Exams for Kids At Riverhead Schools

During tough financial times, parents without insurance may find it cost prohibitive to bring their kids for a checkup at the dentist.

To that end, in honor of October being "National Dental Hygiene Month," officials at the Riverhead Central School District announced Monday that pediatric residents and dental hygenists from Stony Brook University will present informational sessions on dental hygiene at the Roanoke Avenue Elementary School on Friday from 9:05 a.m. to 12:02 p.m and on Oct. 9 at the Roanoke Avenue Elementary School from 9:05 to 11:17 a.m.

According to Bill Groth, the district's director of athletics, health and physical education, the educational presentations will be given prior to free dental exams in November.

Additional informational sessions will take place on Oct. 12 and 16 at the Phillips Avenue Elementary School; on Oct. 19 and 22 at the Riley Avenue Elementary School, and on Oct. 26 and 29 at the Aquebogue Elementary School.

Next, dental exams are scheduled to take place in November -- and dental van services will start in December.

"This is an amazing service that will be offered to our students free of charge," Groth said.

The Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine will provide preventive services at the school on Nov. 8 and 29 to all children with parental permission; there will be no out-of-pocket costs to parents for preventive services offered including a dental exam, cleaning, fluoride treatment and placement of sealants on first year molars. The fluoride treatment and placing of sealants will depend on the condition of the teeth.

Dental services will be provided by pediatric dental residents and a pediatric hygienist and will be supervised by a pediatric clinical faculty member; a portable dental chair and equipment will be setup in a designated room in the school.

Interested parents must complete and sign a health history permission form in order for their child to receive the free dental services; the form must be returned to the teacher by Friday, Nov. 2.

In addition, a dental summary report will be sent home with the child informing the parent of the services that were provided and what follow-up treatment is required.

Parents must complete attached forms to have their child receive dental services on the dental van, which will visit during school hours.