Rhode Island Code of Regulations
Title 216 - Department of health
Chapter 20 - Community Health
Subchapter 10 - Screening, Medical Services, and Reporting
Part 4 - School Health Programs
Section 216-RICR-20-10-4.17 - Dental Health Screening
Universal Citation: 216 RI Code of Rules 20 10 4.17
Current through March 20, 2024
4.17.1 General Dental Health Screening Requirements
A. Every student who has not been previously
enrolled in a public or non-public school in this State must be given a dental
screening by a licensed dentist, licensed dental hygienist, or a licensed
public health dental hygienist with at least three (3) years of clinical
experience.
1. Thereafter, every student must
be given an annual dental screening by a licensed dentist, dental hygienist, or
a licensed public health dental hygienist through the fifth
(5th) grade and must be screened at least once
between the sixth (6th) and tenth
(10th) grades.
a.
Provided, however, that dental screenings for students in kindergarten, third
(3rd) and ninth (9th)
grades must be performed by a licensed dentist or licensed public health dental
hygienist.
b. Dental hygienists
performing the dental screenings pursuant to the provisions of this section
must do so under the general supervision of the dentist liable and responsible
under the contract with the community as required under R.I. Gen. Laws §
16-21-9(b).
c. Public health dental hygienists performing
the dental screenings pursuant to the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws §
16-21-9 must do so in accordance within the collaborative agreement guidelines between
the public health dental hygienist and a licensed dentist, or an authorized
facility. (For a definition of "general" supervision or "collaborative
agreement", see Part 40-05-2 of this Title, Dentists, Dental Hygienists and
Dental Assistants.
2.
Schools are required to report to RIDOH annually, aggregate screening results
on grades K, three (3), and six (6) (if 6th grade is
screened).
B. Students
who are screened by private dentists/dental hygienists and who provide written
documentation containing information outlined by RIDOH of the screening being
performed at the intervals prescribed by § 4.17.1(A)(1) of this Part are
exempt from the requirements of this section and may elect not to be
screened.
C. To screen for hard
tissue disease (tooth decay), soft tissue disease (gum disease) and urgent
treatment need, the school dental screening must consist of a non-invasive
inspection of the student's mouth using the RIDOH standardized screening
form.
D. Equipment to perform the
screening requirements must include: a mirror, tongue depressor, a light
source, and non-latex disposable gloves.
E. The initial dental screening preferably
should be conducted by the student's family dentist/dental hygienist within the
six (6) months preceding the date of school entry, and the succeeding
screenings should be conducted by him/her at any time during the school year
(including vacations) for which the screening is required.
1. Screening results must be documented in
writing using the RIDOH standardized form and submitted to the school for all
grades and to the RIDOH Oral Health Program upon screening completion for
grades K and three (3), or as indicated by the RIDOH.
2. The RIDOH standardized form is available
to all schools via the RIDOH website.
4.17.2 Follow-up and Documentation Requirements
A. When a school dental
screening has revealed that a dental problem may exist, the parent must be
notified in writing, using the RIDOH standardized form, so that a dental visit
may be arranged.
B. A student's
dental screening results must be documented on the school health
record.
C. Each community must
provide to parents or custodians of students who require professional or
skilled treatment, a current list of both dental practices in the community
which accept patients insured by Medical Assistance and/or RIte Care and dental
practices which provide services on a sliding scale basis to uninsured
individuals.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Rhode Island may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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