The dental screening team from the Health Unit includes a registered dental hygienist and a dental assistant. To examine the mouth, the dental hygienist uses a sterile mirror. A "no touch" method and gloves are used during the screening.

Oral health screening is performed on all students in Junior Kindergarten and Senior Kindergarten, in every school, annually. Additional grades are screened based on the rate of decay for these students. In addition, the Dental Indices Survey (DIS) is required by the Ministry of Health Promotion and completed for children in Grade 2 and Grade 8 for the 2008/2009 school year. The total number of decayed, missing and filled primary and permanent teeth is recorded. If your child is found to have a visual dental condition, such as decay, pain or a situation likely to cause pain in the future you will be contacted and a Parent Notification Form (PNF) will be sent home.

The Ministry of Health Promotion offers a financial assistance program that is managed by the Health Unit called CINOT (Children in Need of Treatment). If your child is eligible for the program, the dentist you choose will be paid for the treatment provided. CINOT is not a dental insurance plan. It is designed to provide basic dental care such as fillings and the removal of badly decayed teeth and to restore your child to a reasonable level of oral health. The parent/legal guardian must complete the lower section of the Parent Notification Form stating they do not have dental insurance and it would be a financial hardship to pay for the child's dental treatment.

Families with dental insurance, who receive a Parent Notification Form, should make an appointment with their family dentist and bring the form at the time of the appointment. The form must still be returned to the Health Unit as the Health Unit is required by law to ensure that children receive necessary treatment.

If your child is eligible under the CINOT program, the Health Unit also has a program to help prevent future dental problems. This program includes a professional cleaning, fluoride application, sealants and individual teaching about dental health. This enables the dental staff at the Health Unit to assist your child in keeping his/her teeth healthy after treatment and to encourage them to take responsibility for their own dental care.

You do not have to wait for the dental screening at your child's school to have a screening. If you do not have dental insurance, you may bring your child to one of the clinics at the Health Unit located in Windsor, Essex and Leamington to have his/her teeth checked. Please bring the child's Ontario Health Card with you to this appointment.