Looking out for all parts of students’ health
While schools often are looked at as a place to provide education for our youth, they also have an important role in a student’s health.
Hancock County Schools has long striven to do just that, with traditionally available physical education programs and activities, establishing in-school health clinics and other programs through the years.
A new effort, approved by the county board of education Tuesday, will continue with that mission by offering students an option for basic dental care.
The Smile program already is offered in several West Virginia counties, as well as some school districts in neighboring Ohio and Pennsylvania, and many other states.
The program brings dentists to the schools, and in turn, the students, typically twice a year, are offered basic dental services such as cleaning, fluoride treatments, and, sometimes X-rays, similar to the services received as part of a regular dentist appointment.
It is designed as a way to provide care for those who may not have access to regular dental services, whether it be the result of a lack of dentists in the area or now way to make it to an appointment.
According to school officials, the goal would be to provide care for between 20 and 25 youth for each trip to the school, although multiple days can be arranged if the demand is there. Initial focus would be for those with insurance coverage, though if enough students are provided care, it could be opened up to a limited number of those without insurance as well.
Parents or guardians would need to give approval in order for their children to receive the dental care.
Details on when the program will launch, when visits will take place, and the exact services to be made available still need to be worked out, but we applaud Hancock County Schools – in particular Communities In Schools coordinators Doug Murray and Kristin Bowman Cross – for taking these steps.
It is another chance to look out for the well-being of our youth, and that is never a bad thing.