New NYS Requirements for Dental Certificate

 NYS requires a physical examination on file for all new students, and students entering grades K, 2, 4, 7 and 10.  The law has been amended and we are now required to ask for a dental certificate as well.  You can obtain a blank dental form from the Health Office and also on the website. Although the law does not currently mandate that students have to have this screening done, we do encourage good dental health for our students and recommend that an exam be done during the same year that the physical is required .The following are clinics in the area that will provide exams and give certificates at free or reduced prices.

South Seneca Elementary is fortunate to have dental care available at school, although the dental hygienists cannot sign the Dental Certificate.  The primary focus of the “Going Miles for Healthy Smiles” dental program provided by the Rushville Health Center is to provide quality, affordable, and accessible dental services to children.  The program offers a free dental screening/ referral, and homecare instructions to every student. A cleaning (prophylaxis) and fluoride treatments are also available.

Click the button below for a complete list of area Dental Clinics.

GOING MILES FOR HEALTHY SMILES

Community Dentistry Program of the Rushville Health Center

            We would like to share an overview of our dental program.  Our community dentistry program coordinates its services with the S2AY rural health network which includes all the public health departments in each of the counties.  They direct our services to the communities with the most needs.  This is usually a lack of fluoridated water, and dental providers accepting Child Health Plus and Medicaid insurance.  We are in our thirteenth year providing dental services at over 40 schools and Headstart sites in Ontario, Wayne, Yates and Seneca counties.  We have expanded the dental program into Steuben, Schuyler and Chemung counties with over 20 additional schools & Headstarts.

The primary focus of the dental program is to provide quality, affordable, and accessible dental services to children.  There is no cost to the school, they simply provide us with the space that is needed.  Our target populations are those children in non-fluoridated and underserved areas.  All sites are approved by the State Department of Health prior to dental services.

Please understand that no one is obligated to use our dental services.   If the child already has a dentist, we encourage them to continue his/her dental care with their dentist.  We do however, understand how difficult it can be to make and keep appointments, losing time from work, or experiencing the difficultly of finding a provider that accepts Child Health Plus, Medicaid, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield in our area.

   We begin with classroom dental health presentations in the primary and elementary schools.  Dental forms will be going home with the children after dental health presentations.   We will be located in the health office, until all children signed up by their parent/guardian are seen.   Dental forms will also be available in the health office at each school for high school students. All dental forms must be completed, signed and returned by a parent/guardian to the child=s teacher or health office if in the high school.  We collect all forms yes or no, to know parents have received the information.

  The program offers a free dental screening/ referral, and homecare instructions to every student. You can also sign your child for a prophylaxis (cleaning) and fluoride treatment. Dental sealants will be offered if the child is in need of them, additional parental consent is required.

After a child has been seen, we send home a report and/or may contact the parents/guardians to discuss any findings and make a referral if needed.  Referrals for restorations (cavity /fillings), stainless steel crowns, simple extractions and orthodontics will be made.  We will provide a list of area dental providers that accept Child Health Plus and Medicaid.

We look forward to meeting everyone.   If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to leave us a message at 585-554-4825.

Laurie Turner, RDH/Community Dentistry Program Director

Andrea Ramsdell, RDH/Registered Dental Hygienist

Linda Brennessel, RDH & Kayleigh Marriott, RDH