BELTON, Mo., (Sept. 1, 2023) – During the months of September, October, November, and December, Cass Community Health Foundation will provide their annual school-based dental screening program to Cass County and Grandview schools.
In addition to screenings, the program provides oral health education, oral hygiene supplies, and, with parental consent, two free fluoride varnish applications to students. Cass Community Health Foundation recruits local dentists, dental hygienists, and community members to volunteer their time as screeners, varnishers, or data recorders. The foundation then works with school nurses to ensure the children screened receive the dental services they need. Those insured by Missouri Medicaid and those uninsured who pass a financial screening are referred to the foundation’s safety net dental clinic, Cass County Dental Clinic.
“During the 2022-2023 school year, we saw nearly 6,500 students, which was the most children our program has screened since its inception,” Katie Schroeder, Cass Community Health Foundation director of dental programs, said. “This school year’s schedule will likely produce the same results. We encourage Cass County and Grandview community members to volunteer their time and become part of one of the largest efforts to maintain healthy teeth in our area.”
Cass Community Health Foundation will visit schools in Archie, Belton, Cleveland, Creighton, Drexel, Grandview, Harrisonville, Martin City, Pleasant Hill, and Strasburg this fall. Volunteers with no dental experience are needed to help record screening data, facilitate the events, and hand out home care supplies. Dentists and registered dental hygienists are needed to perform oral health screenings. Other dental office team members can also help. Community members interested in volunteering can sign up and learn more about our school-based dental screening program at casscommunityhealth.org.
