There are few events in a child’s life as memorable as their first day of Kindergarten. Whether your child is the first, last, or somewhere in between, the anticipation and preparation leading up to their first year of school can be both an exciting and scary time. Fortunately, we are here to help!

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Currently, the Iowa Department of Public Health requires a dental screening for all children prior to starting Kindergarten. These screenings are to make sure no child starts school with potential dental infection that may interfere with their health and performance in school.

The social impact of oral disease in children is substantial. More than 51 million school hours are lost each year to dental related illness. On average, children and adolescents with oral health problems are absent one school day per year more than other children or adolescents. 1

With so many doctor visits, vaccines, pokes, pricks and checks, little ones can quickly become overwhelmed by medical providers as they complete the required examinations for Kindergarten. As a parent, there are some easy steps you can take to help make the process easier and less stressful on your child.

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• Try to schedule easier, less invasive appointments first

• Try to schedule appointments with blood draws and vaccines last

• Schedule appointments now! This allows you to beat the back-to-school rush and have time to spread out visits so your child can have a ‘break’ between the appointments

• Choose a pediatric provider, such as a pediatric dentist, to help make the experience as comfortable and friendly as possible for your child

• Remember that scheduling a dental visit early will also give your child time to have any treatment completed before school starts-preventing the need for missing any school during the first few weeks

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For a copy of the required dental screening form, click here: Kindergarten Screening

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1. http://www.aapd.org/media/Policies_Guidelines/P_SchoolAbsences.pdf