Fluoride

Keeneyville School District #20, in cooperation with the DuPage County Health Department, is continuing a fluoride mouth-rinsing program in grades 1-5 to help prevent dental decay. Participants will rinse their mouths in school with a 0.2% neutral sodium fluoride solution for one minute each week under supervision. The solution used is odorless and harmless even if swallowed accidentally.

This preventative program should not take the place of regular dental care. It is, however, a practical way to supplement the benefits from fluoride your child may already be receiving in water, dental office treatments and from tablets or drops prescribed by your dentist or physician.

This program offers an excellent opportunity to help improve your child's dental health. Participation is voluntary and without cost to you. We encourage you to allow your child to participate in this valuable health project.

For more information or to sign your child up for this program, contact your school health office.

 

Criteria for participation in the Dental Sealant and Mouth Guard Program:

• Every student will be given an introductory letter, consent form, and fact sheet. The consent form is to be completed and signed by the parent or guardian. The Dental Unit Staff will see all students with completed signed forms, on which the parent or guardian has circled yes.
• If an amount for annual income is circled and this amount falls within the level mandated by the IDPH grant, the child would be eligible for screening, sealants, and a mouth guard.
• If the amount for annual income is not circled or above the mandated level, the child would be eligible for screening and a mouth guard.
• If a student is eligible for free or reduced lunch, they are automatically eligible for screening, sealants, and a mouth guard.

It is our hope that all students will take advantage of this beneficial program. All students seen by the dental unit staff will receive a toothbrush and a letter to their parent or guardian indicating what was done and if any oral health problems were found during the dental screening. If the student receives a mouth guard, they will receive a letter indicating the proper use and care of the protective mouth guard.

We understand the importance of classroom time and the curriculum that needs to be covered. We try to limit the time out of class. For those students receiving the screening and mouth guard, the time out of class is minimal, usually ten minutes or less. For students receiving dental sealants, the time out of class will be longer as this is a more involved procedure.
Following the dental sealants the students may eat and drink right away. We tell students that after sealants when they bite together it may feel funny as if there is something stuck to their teeth. This feeling will go away within a few days.

If you have any questions, please call your school health services office, or the DuPage County Health Department Dental Unit at (630) 469-9889.