25 July 2023

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WKRN News: Parents urged to take kids to dentist before school starts

By Kori Johnson

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Officials with the Metro Public Health Department in Nashville are urging parents to start thinking about dental care as students prepare to go back to school in just a few weeks.

The School-Based Dental Prevention Program is a year-round dental program that provides preventive dental services to children grades K-8 at selected schools in Davidson County.

“Children who have poor dental health perform worse in school, so if your child’s mouth is hurting, your child is not learning,” said Dr. Kim Smith, the dental program manager.

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Schools with 50% free and reduced lunch populations are targets for these services, but all children in these schools are eligible. The program offers dental sealants, fluoride, dental screenings, oral health education by a team of registered dental hygienists, dentists, and assistants. The program hit a major milestone this year in their efforts to help children with their preventative dental care.