Illinois Mandates Oral Exams for Kindergarten, Second and Sixth Graders

Kid Chicago | May 31, 2005

Chicago­ Illinois receives an “A” grade for ensuring that schoolchildren receive dental examinations, according to a report card released today by Oral Health America. The report card, “A for Effort,” singles out Illinois as one of only eight states earning top grades for improvements in oral health. Oral Health America is presenting Illinois Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn its Advocate of the Year Award on Thursday at the organization's 50th Anniversary Celebration, to be held at the Field Museum. The Lieutenant Governor played a key role in getting the mandate passed.

“Illinois has taken a strong step to ensure a healthy smile for children,” said Robert Klaus, President and CEO of Oral Health America. “Thanks to Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn, the Illinois Dental Society, IFLOSS coalition, Representative David Miller, the Illinois Division of Oral Health, and others, this effort helps put oral health on equal footing with overall health.”

Starting in July of this year, the state will require that all kindergarteners, second and sixth graders in public, private or parochial schools receive a dental exam. Each child will be required to show proof of a dental exam during the school year, or the school may hold the child's report card. A child may receive a waiver if there is proof of undue burden, or lack of access to a dentist.

The new requirement will provide a way to track children in each school who have not been able to obtain a dental exam, yielding important information about areas around the state that have dental access and utilization problems, and pointing the way for additional policy solutions such as raising Medicaid reimbursement rates and increasing school-based oral health care.

In gathering information about compelling programs across the country, Oral Health America received input from state dental health programs, foundations, program offices, industry executives, and oral health leaders in areas such as fluoridation, Medicaid, public policy, research, communications, and education.

The states of Arkansas, California, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, South Carolina, and Washington join Illinois in receiving an “A for Effort.” For a copy of the report detailing the states' efforts, visit www.oralhealthamerica.org.

Oral Health America is the nation's premier, fully independent organization dedicated to improving oral health.

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