BELTON, Mo., (Jun 3, 2025) – Cass Community Health Foundation provided free dental screenings to 5,638 students in Cass County and surrounding area schools during the 2024-2025 academic year.
“Our dental screenings are about more than just checking teeth—they're about removing barriers to care and giving every child the chance to be healthy and confident.” Cynthia Randazzo, Cass Community Health Foundation president and CEO said. “We’re incredibly grateful to the school districts, volunteers, and dental professionals who made it possible to reach over 5,600 students this year. Together, we’re making a real difference in the lives of children and families across our community.”
The dental screenings were offered to students in all 10 of the Cass County school districts and the Grandview school district. Among the 5,638 screened, 18% needed dental care. The foundation worked with school nurses to help coordinate follow-up dental care. Students who were insured by Missouri Medicaid or uninsured and lacked access to dental care were referred to the foundation’s safety net dental clinic, Cass County Dental Clinic.
Cass Community Health Foundation recruited 114 community volunteers to help complete the screenings, which totaled 677 hours of volunteer time. Local dentists Dr. Terry Myers of Keystone Dentistry in Belton, Dr. Merle Nunemaker, former Missouri Dental Association president, Dr. Shera Sims of World of Smiles in Harrisonville, Dr. Madeline Sloan of KC Children’s Surgery Center, Dr. Rob Tait, Grandview dentist and member of the Cass Community Health Foundation Board of Directors, and Dr. Camillie Tague, current Cass County Dental Clinic dentist, volunteered their time to assist at the screenings. Concorde Career College’s dental hygiene program, Cass Career Center students, the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s (UMKC) dental hygiene program, and several community members also volunteered.
The screenings, completed in partnership with the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services-Office of Dental Health, also include oral health education, oral hygiene supplies, and two free fluoride varnish treatments for children with parental consent. During the 2024-2025 screenings, 49% of students received fluoride varnish applications.
Visit casscommunityhealth.org/screenings for more information about the dental screening program and how to volunteer.
