New Dental and Lead Screenings Take Effect for the 2008-2009 School Year
Beginning this 2008-2009 school year, Iowa law requires that children newly enrolling in elementary and high school have received a screening for dental disease. This requirement would include students entering Kindergarten, 9th grade, and out-of-state transfer students.
The purpose of the dental screening requirement is to improve the oral health of Iowa' s children. Dental screenings will facilitate early detection and referral for treatment of dental disease and promote the importance of oral health as an integral component of preparation for school and learning.
No child will be prevented from attending school without proof of
dental screening. If families have difficulty meeting the
requirement, the Iowa Department of Public Health and local public
health will provide assistance to children and schools to ensure
that dental screenings are obtained.
To access dental screening forms and for additional information
about the dental screening requirement, visit
www.idph.state.ia.us/hpcdp/oral_health_school_screening.asp or call
866-528-4020.
New Blood Lead Testing Requirement
Beginning this fall, kindergarten children must have been
tested for lead poisoning. Families do not have to provide anything
at the time of enrollment. About 60 days after school starts, each
school will send Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) an
electronic Excel spreadsheet with information about each
kindergarten child. (IDPH will provide the Excel spreadsheet and
the email address to which the spreadsheet must be sent within the
next month.)
IDPH will match these files with the IDPH blood lead database and
will let each school know which children have not been tested. IDPH
will work with the school to ensure that these children are
tested.
There is a religious exemption. There is also an exemption for
children who are at “very low risk” for lead poisoning. Parents who
are interested in this exemption should contact Rita Gergely at
800-972-2026 or rgergely@idph.state.ia.us.
Dental Screening Certificate
Dental
Exemption
School Dental
FAQ's
Lead Flyer
for Parents
Blood
Lead Religious Exemption
